LOS ANGELES, Apr 18, 2003/ FW/ --- Cover Girl® spokesperson Patricia Velasquez kicked off the new "stay in school" iniative by Cover Girl® Cosmetics last Wednesday at the Los Angeles Unified School District, the second largest district in the nation.

The campaign, "My Colors Of Success," stresses the importance of education, preparation, ambition and pride as the first step to achieving personal and professional dreams. It was created to encourage Latinas to finish high school and pursue their personal and professional dreams.

While the Latino youth population is expected to increase 90% by 2010, recent statistics illustrate that Latina girls are the most likely students to quit high school. The percentage of drop-outs among Latina female high school students, ages 16-24, is 26% compared to 13% (African-American) and 6.9% (Anglo).

Venezuelan-born supermodel Patricia Velasquez extraordinary drive and commitment make her the perfect spokeswoman for this effort according to Anne Martin, Global Marketing Manager for Procter & Gamble Cosmetics.

Velasquez who has walked the runway for Antonio Berardi, Bella Freud, Corinne Cobson, Claude Montana, Jean Paul Gaultier, Salvatore Ferragamo, Dolce & Gabbana and Owen Gaster, rose to international fame when she became the spokesmodel for the coveted Chanel and Cover Girl® campaigns.

Using her new-found fame to do philantrophic work, Patricia Velasquez has earned accolades for her commitment to the advancement of Hispanics, the fair treatment of indigenous peoples and the fight against pediatric AIDS.

"Even though there are many opportunities for minority women today, more and more Latinas are dropping out of school. I think issues of self-confidence and lack of positive role models may have contributed to this situation," says Velasquez.

"Without an education and the desire to set goals and achieve them, there's emptiness behind everything we do, whether it's running a company, having a family or working in the entertainment field."

To encourage Latinas to think about and express their goals, Cover Girl(R) is inviting students from select Los Angeles Unified School District high schools to enter an essay contest describing "How embracing your inner beauty and heritage will help you succeed" for a grand prize $4,000 college savings bond and a trip to New York to visit with Velasquez.

"My Colors Of Success" Essay Contest Submission Guidelines

The essay contest is open to all students of Hispanic origin attending select high schools within the Los Angeles Unified School District. To enter contestants must submit a brief essay describing, "How embracing your inner beauty and heritage will help you succeed." Written (or typed) essays must be no more than 250 words. Submissions can be written in either English or Spanish.

Submissions must include name, age, grade and phone number and must be received no later than May 15, 2003. All entries become the property of Cover Girl(R) and will not be returned. Submissions should be mailed to "My Colors Of Success," C/O RLPR, 3000 W. Olympic Blvd., Suite 2350, Santa Monica, CA 90404, or submitted via email to ivette.zurita@rlpublicrelations.com.