Shaq, wife hope to open their own school

[JamieC]

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dl...25/1004/SPORTS

November 21, 2005

NBA Notebook

Miami Heat center Shaquille O'Neal and his wife, Shaunie, like to give back to the community, serving "Shaqsgiving" meals to the poor; handing out toys for his Shaq-A-Claus event; collecting donations for victims of Hurricane Katrina.
But the couple's long-term charitable focus is their Real Models Foundation. Formed in Los Angeles in 2003 and named for a signature Shaquille expression -- "He says he's a real model, not a role model," Shaunie said -- the foundation wants to create a more lasting legacy for South Florida children.


"Our ultimate goal with Real Models is to open a school, and I would love to do it here in Miami, open up a charter school," Shaunie O'Neal said. "So one day that's going to happen, the sooner the better."
A charter school is a public school that receives state funding but is free of most regulations.

Shaunie O'Neal said the Real Models Foundation typically focuses on organizations that help homeless women and children. The school is their "ultimate goal," however.
The couple will probably follow the model of tennis star Andre Agassi, whose agent, Perry Rogers, is also O'Neal's agent. The Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy, a charter school, opened in 2001 in an economically depressed area in West Las Vegas.
Agassi's foundation raised $20million for construction of the school, which opened for third-, fourth- and fifth-graders in 2001. A middle school opened in 2003. A high school and gymnasium are expected to open next year.

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*Talk about giving back. Those two are alright with me*

[sumthingbetter4u]

this is great i all ways liked him and she is a all right sister with me

[charliekilothree]

More kudos to Shaq for his generousity and positive attitude. Kudos to his wife for sharing his dreams.

[MochaLove37]

I applaud Shaq and Shaunie for their generousity. God bless them also on their future little bundle of joy.

[JamieC]

Yep Mocha.. he's got a lot on his plate but I'm glad he's doin' it. :)

[MochaLove37]

Originally Posted by JamieC

Yep Mocha.. he's got a lot on his plate but I'm glad he's doin' it. :)

I'm glad too JC. :)

[Sess20]

Now this is something that ppl should be talking about and not the ppl who are getting a divorce. This is something very positve and its funny because this is my first time hearing about this