Milka Way Logo

The new site, at www.milkaway.com, discusses the educational outreach program and shows many images of Milka Way visits with children and young students around the world.

Started in 2004, the primary objective of the Milka Way program is to inspire and motivate children and young students to study hard in school, pursue every educational opportunity available to them and strive for academic excellence.

In speaking to children and young students directly via the Milka Way visits, and through her book “Go, Milka, Go!” Duno gives insights and tells stories about her own life and her academic and professional goals and accomplishments as an example of what can be achieved with hard work and determination.

This personal interaction with children and young students has shown to be wonderfully effective and both inspires and motivates them in a direct and impactful way.

The “Testimonials” section of the website displays letters from children and young students and statements from educators that reflect the effectiveness and success of the concept and the program.

Milka Way visits have occurred at elementary schools, middle schools, high schools, junior colleges, colleges and universities. Each Milka Way visit is customized to the size and age level of the audience. Milka Way visits are also customized in conjunction with school officials’ requests for specialized emphasis. They can also be customized for student specialties/groups – such as in the areas of science, math, engineering and technology.

As a qualified Naval Engineer with four master’s degrees – in Organizational Development, Naval Architecture, Aquaculture and Maritime Business – earning the last three degrees simultaneously – Duno is a big believer in the value of education.

Milka Duno

Duno has taken this message to children, young students, parents and teachers at all school levels around the world – including her home country of Venezuela, Malaysia, Canada, Japan, Peru, Colombia, Argentina, Chile, Guatemala, Mexico, Puerto Rico and all across the United States.

The new website, in its “Academic Excellence” section, gives Duno a wonderful opportunity to highlight and celebrate the successes of some of her Milka Way fans – and she invites parents and teachers to send in images of their children and young students that are achieving!

The site’s extensive gallery offers visitors many images to view as well as several videos on and about Milka Way visits.

MilkaWay.com also offers a simple way for those that are interested to order Duno’s award-winning children’s book “Go, Milka, Go,” a way to inquire about hosting a Milka Way visit or corporate speaking engagement and an invitation to become a promotional partner, sponsor or supporter of the Milka Way effort.

In the coming weeks the Spanish version of the new MilkaWay.com website will debut.

- Milka Duno Public Relations / RacePR / CapehartPR Press Release

Milka Duno

Duno’s appearance is part of her visit to the Toledo area for Sunday’s Menards 200 presented by Federated Car Care, the fourth race of the ARCA Racing Series season.

The event, open to all second and third grade students from five elementary schools in the Bedford district, will feature safety and emergency equipment from more than a dozen public safety and service agencies throughout Monroe County and the Toledo metropolitan area.

Duno’s No. 63 Sheltra Motorsports Dodge will be on display, as will the ARCA safety vehicle, a Dodge Journey supplied by Grogan’s Towne Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram in Toledo. Duno and representatives from the ARCA Racing Series will be on hand to show approximately 1200 students in attendance how stock car racing can be as safe as it is entertaining.

Duno will also show her HANS (head and neck support) device, her racing helmet, and her fire-retardant uniform.

Other entities scheduled to show safety-related vehicles and equipment at the student expo include the Michigan State Police, the University of Toledo Police, the United States Coast Guard, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bedford Township Fire Department, among others.

In addition to being one of the most successful female race car drivers – with notable experience in three Indianapolis 500s and the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series – Duno is also a qualified Naval Engineer who has four Master’s degrees: Organizational Development, Naval Architecture, Aquaculture, and Maritime Business. Duno earned her last three degrees simultaneously.

Just before racing at Salem Speedway two weeks ago, Duno explained her motive to visit schools and educate children.

“I enjoy talking with the students and the schools and the kids at every place I can go, and at every race track also,” Duno said. “I can talk about education and safety, and how those are forever. I’m so glad to be part of every activity. That’s my little contribution to the new generation.

“The students are going to be the future, and they have to be prepared. I can talk about safety in the race car, but also safety outside of the race track. In the future, they will have to be observant at all times.”

Duno’s Friday appearance at the safety expo will follow a Thursday speaking engagement elsewhere in the school district.

The Venezuelan driver’s “Milka Way” program inspires students of all ages to “Aim for the Stars” and achieve academic excellence. She has taken this message to children and students across the United States and around the world to help inspire and motivate them and to help them understand the importance of education.

Duno will visit two elementary schools – Temperance Road Elementary and Douglas Road Elementary – on Thursday, engaging in a question-and-answer period and meeting students from all grades for pictures and autographs.

The ARCA Racing Series is partnering with Duno’s “Milka Way” program to help spread the importance of education among the local community, the home to the ARCA Racing Series.

“Milka’s visits to the schools in our backyard are key examples of why the ARCA Racing Series is fortunate to feature a competitor like her this season,” said Griffin Hickman, director of communications for ARCA. “Her outreach will make a lasting educational memory for the children of this community, act as a stepping stone for their futures and along the way, expose them to the thrilling product of ARCA competition. We’re pleased to join Milka in making this connection to the schools.”

The ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards has crowned an ARCA national champion each year since its inaugural season in 1953, and has toured over 200 race tracks in 28 states since its inception. The series tests the abilities of drivers and race teams over the most diverse schedule of stock car racing events in the world, annually visiting tracks ranging from 0.4 mile to 2.66 miles in length, on both paved and dirt surfaces as well as a left- and right-turn road course.

Founded by John Marcum in 1953 in Toledo, Ohio, the Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) is recognized among the leading sanctioning bodies in the country. Closing in on completing its sixth decade after hundreds of thousands of miles of racing, ARCA administers over 100 race events each season in two professional touring series and local weekly events.

- Automobile Racing Club of America Press Release

Milka Duno

Duno, through her “Milka Way” program, inspires students of all ages to “Aim for the Stars” and achieve academic excellence. She has taken this message to children and students across the USA and around the world to help inspire and motivate them and to help them understand the importance of education. Duno expresses how a strong academic background will benefit them their entire life, in all aspects of their life and in any career they choose.

In addition to being one of the most successful female racecar drivers, Duno is also a qualified Naval Engineer who has four master’s degrees- Organizational Development, Naval Architecture, Aquaculture and Maritime Business- earning the last three degrees simultaneously.

“All our kids know is that there is a racecar driver coming and it is very stereotypical in that they are asking names of different male drivers,” said Temperance Road Elementary School Principal Ken Graf. “We always want to let our female students know that they can do anything they want, and we are excited for our students to come in and see Milka. It’s going to be really neat to see their reactions when they realize that she is not a male. ARCA Racing is right around the corner from our school so our kids see the sign all the time when coming and going from school. But to actually have an opportunity to meet Milka, it’s just going to be a fun afternoon for us.”

At both schools Duno will speak, then engage in a question and answer period and end her presentation by spending some time with the students taking pictures and signing autographs.

“We are tremendously excited about Milka coming to our school,” said Rose Nearpass, Principal at Douglas Road Elementary School. “Our kids love racing and to have someone here who is racing, especially a woman, is going to be wonderful particularly because she is going to talk about the importance of education. We try to stress that wherever possible with our students and here is someone who is in this type of career and still feels that it is so important.”

The ARCA Racing Series is partnering with Duno’s “Milka Way” program to help spread the importance of education among the local community, the home to the ARCA Racing Series.

“Milka’s visits to the schools in our backyard are key examples of why the ARCA Racing Series is fortunate to feature a competitor like her this season,” said Griffin Hickman, Director of Communications for ARCA. “Her outreach will make a lasting educational memory for the children of this community, act as a stepping stone for their futures and along the way, expose them to the thrilling product of ARCA competition. We’re pleased to join Milka in making this connection to the schools.”

About Sheltra Motorsports:

Sheltra Motorsports, established in 2007, is in the midst of its fifth season of ARCA Racing Series competition. Owned by Florida-native, Patrick Sheltra, the owner-driver team captured the 2010 ARCA Racing Series driver and owner’s championship titles on the strength of two wins, 12 top-fives and 17 top-10 finishes in 20 events. Sheltra Motorsports is headquartered in Mooresville, N.C., with additional operations in Indiana and Florida. For more information, visit www.sheltramotorsports.com.

About Milka Duno:

Duno has eight major race wins in the highest classes (Prototype) in the American Le Mans Series and Rolex Series and the highest finish ever by a female driver (2nd Place) in the Rolex 24 at Daytona in the 48-year history of the race. Duno has been competing in the IndyCar Series since 2007. Off the track, Duno is a certified Naval Engineer who holds four master’s degrees, earning the last three simultaneously. Duno is also working through her “Milka Way” program to inspire youth to “Aim for the Stars” and achieve academic excellence. For more information, visit www.milkaduno.com. Fans cans also log on to her official Facebook page at www.facebook.com/TheOfficialMilkaDunoFanPage.

- Sheltra Motorsports Press Release

Milka Duno

The Es El Momento ambassadors were selected based on their outstanding achievements and inspirational stories of success that were positively impacted by the presence of their parents and role models. Es El Momento’s second phase illustrates the inspirational journey of Hispanic individuals who were given the support and motivation needed to follow their dreams and aspirations. The campaign further underscores the importance of engagement and parents’ and role models’ presence in their children’s lives to ensure academic achievement.

The 2010 Census is expected to show there are more than 50 million Hispanics in the U.S., and that overall, the population growth in the United States is being driven by the Hispanic community. Yet according to some of the latest research, Hispanic students across the country continue to lag behind in graduation rates compared to their non-Hispanic peers.

“I’m very honored to have been selected as an ambassador for Es El Momento,” said Duno. “I am very passionate about education and I want to do everything that I can to inspire young children and students to study hard and aim for the stars! My passion about this very worthwhile effort and my outreach via my Milka Way program are in wonderful harmony with the goals set forth in the Es El Momento initiative and I am very proud to be involved.”

The second phase of Es El Momento presents a series of motivational Public Service Announcements (PSAs) featuring leading Hispanics, including race car driver and engineer, Milka Duno; composer, lyricist and Tony Award-winner, Lin-Manuel Miranda; NASA astronaut and engineer, José Hernández; and award-winning novelist, Sandra Cisneros.

Duno’s parents were an incredible source of inspiration for her and through their own example of hard work and perseverance going to school while also raising Milka and her brothers in Venezuela. In Duno’s Es El Momento PSA, airing now on Univision, Duno is featured along with her mother – also named Milka.

To view the PSA featuring Milka and her mother, please follow the link below:

http://vidayfamilia.univision.com/es-el-momento/videos/video/2011-02-22/estudiar-siempre-fue-primero-para

An Es El Momento Special, titled Tu Ejemplo. Mi Inspiracion.(Your Example. My Inspiration), also featuring Milka and her mother, will air on Univision this Saturday, March 5 at 5pmEST/4pmC.

Duno has eight major career race wins to her credit – and her passion and determination to succeed on the track is equaled by her passion and desire to “give back” off the track. Duno is also a qualified Naval Engineer with four master’s degrees – in Organizational Development, Naval Architecture, Aquaculture and Maritime Business – earning the last three degrees simultaneously.

Seven years ago Duno launched her “Milka Way “program – whose mission it is to inspire children and students to “Aim for the Stars” and achieve academic excellence. Duno has taken this message to children, students, parents and teachers at all school levels around the world – including her home country of Venezuela, Malaysia, Canada, all across the USA and in Peru, Colombia, Argentina, Chile, Guatemala, Mexico and Puerto Rico. Through these Milka Way appearances Duno strives to help inspire and motivate children, students and their parents and help them understand the importance of education – and how a strong academic background will benefit them their entire life – in all aspects of their life – and in any career they choose.

“I’ve been given many wonderful opportunities and I feel that it is a responsibility to make the most out of each and every one of them,” added Duno. “My parents worked very hard to provide me with many educational opportunities and they were a tremendous source of inspiration for me. I have a strong desire to give back – to let others know that they too can achieve all of their dreams and to help in any way I can to motivate and inspire them – to take advantage of every opportunity and to make their dreams come true!”

About Univision’s Es El Momento

Es El Momento, launched in February 2010, is Univision’s comprehensive, multi-platform, national education initiative aimed at improving academic achievement among K-12 Hispanic students. The initiative focuses on college readiness, high school and college completion, as well as engaging Hispanic parents and the broader community. This effort is conducted in partnership with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the U.S. Department of Education, community, education and civil rights groups from around the country.

Other partners include ASPIRA, the Hispanic Scholarship Fund, The College Board and NASA. As the premier media company serving the U.S. Hispanic community, Univision’s mission is to inform, entertain and empower Hispanics. Es El Momento builds on Univision’s legacy of supporting the community through the creation of initiatives on issues affecting them, including education, health and civic engagement.

About Milka Duno:

Duno has eight major race wins in the highest classes (Prototype) in the American Le Mans Series and Rolex Series and the highest finish ever by a female driver (2nd Place) in the Rolex 24 at Daytona in the 48-year history of the race. Go, Milka, Go! – a book about her life and racing career, was awarded the Best Young Adult Sports / Recreation Book of 2009 at the 11th Annual International Latino Book Awards. In 2010, Duno became the first Venezuelan athlete inducted into the Latin American International Sports Hall of Fame.

Please visit Duno at http://www.facebook.com/TheOfficialMilkaDunoFanPage

- CapehartPR / RacePR Press Release

Milka Duno

“Milka ran a great race today,” said Crew Chief Jon Wolfe. “She did exactly what we asked her to do. We were close to our goal of a top-10 finish, we just got taken out.”

Duno took the green flag from the 23rd position and wasted no time moving forward. By lap two she had already moved her No. 63 machine up to the 16th position, but it didn’t take long for things to get interesting for Duno. On lap four the first caution of the night came out when No. 94 of Brett Hudson lost a tire right in front of Duno. With some great driving, the Venezuelan-native was able to avoid Hudson’s spinning car.

The field went back to green on lap seven, and Duno continued her climb to the front of the field, moving to the 14th position by lap 18, when the second caution of the night again slowed the 43-car field. A multi-car accident occurred right in front of Duno’s No. 63 Dodge. For the second time of the race, with head’s-up driving and quick reflexes, Duno was able to avoid the wreck.

Crew Chief Jon Wolfe used the caution as an opportunity to bring his driver down pit road for her first and only time of the night. The Sheltra Motorsports team serviced their No. 63 Dodge with a lightning-quick fuel only stop and sent Duno on the way. As she went to pull out of her pit box, Duno got blocked in by another car and was forced to backup before she could make her exit, relegating her to the 25th position for the restart.

The green flag waved again on lap 20 for a long green-flag run. During the run Duno clicked off some of the fastest lap times of the race. On lap 23 Duno circled the 2.5-mile track at a speed of 190.998 mph, 9.561 mph faster than her qualifying speed, setting the fastest lap run during the first half of the race.

By the halfway point, on lap 40, Duno had climbed her way back to 16th and was biding her time for a strong finish when the action picked up again. On lap 46, a multi-car wreck brought out the red flag, allowing Duno and Wolfe set their strategy for the remainder of the event.

The field went back underway on lap 51 and Duno wasted no time moving her No. 63 Dodge into the 12th position. Duno held her position for the next 13 laps setting her strategy for the shoot-out to the checkered flag.

Unfotunately for Duno, the chance for a race to the finish would not be possible. Hal Martin, in the No. 55, suffered a blown tire. As the tire blew, Steve Arpin’s No. 25 moved to the inside to avoid Martin, but instead caught Duno in the right front, leaving her nowhere to go. The collision ultimately collected nine cars, and brought Duno’s night to an early end. Duno went on to finish 31st, 16 laps shy of the finish.

“We had a really good race going,” said Duno. “I really appreciate the car that the team gave me. It was a really good car. It was a great team effort. We ran close to the top-10 for much of the night. We were running some of the fastest laps of the race. I am just really sorry for what happened and very disappointed for my guys. They gave me such a great car and Jon (Wolfe) had a great strategy. The No. 25 just made a bad move, and we got caught in a wreck.”

Following the finish of the race, Duno’s team owner Patrick Sheltra had nothing but positive remarks for how his rookie driver ran the race.

“Milka did a real good job,” said team owner and 2010 ARCA Champion Sheltra. “She stayed out of trouble and drove a clean race. It’s unfortunate that (Steve) Arpin got in to her. I was very impressed with her. She learned a lot during the race and showed a lot of potential for the future.”

About Sheltra Motorsports:

Sheltra Motorsports, established in 2007, is in the midst of its fifth season of ARCA Racing Series competition. Owned by Florida-native, Patrick Sheltra, the owner-driver team captured the 2010 ARCA Racing Series driver and owner’s championship titles on the strength of two wins, 12 top-fives and 17 top-10 finishes in 20 events. Sheltra Motorsports is headquartered in Mooresville, N.C., with additional operations in Indiana and Florida. For more information, visit www.sheltramotorsports.com.

About Milka Duno:

Duno has eight major race wins in the highest classes (Prototype) in the American Le Mans Series and Rolex Series and the highest finish ever by a female driver (2nd Place) in the Rolex 24 at Daytona in the 48-year history of the race. Duno has been competing in the IndyCar Series since 2007. Off the track, Duno is a certified Naval Engineer who holds four master’s degrees, earning the last three simultaneously. Duno is also working through her “Milka Way” program to inspire youth to “Aim for the Stars” and achieve academic excellence. For more information, visit www.milkaduno.com.

- Sheltra Motorsports Press Release

Milka Duno

Duno’s visit with the kids at Christel House Academy is not the only example of her passionate outreach – just the most recent. She has taken this message across the USA and around the world to motivate students and help them understand the importance and value of education.

Six years ago Duno created the “Milka Way” program to inspire and motivate children and students to “Aim for the Stars” and achieve academic excellence.

A qualified Naval Engineer, Duno has four master’s degrees – in Organizational Development, Naval Architecture, Aquaculture and Maritime Business – earning the last three degrees simultaneously.

“I’m very passionate about educations and I want to do everything I can to inspire kids to study hard and aim for the stars!” says Duno.

In Malaysia earlier this year for s speaking engagement commemorating International Women’s Day Duno visited with children in Kuala Lumpur. In January, she spoke with students and staff at Union High School in Laredo, TX. While in California for the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach she spoke at two schools – Hollenbeck Middle School in East LA and to engineering students at California Polytechnic University in Pomona.

In addition to visits in cities across the USA and in Malaysia, Duno has spoken with children and students in Venezuela, Colombia, Chile, Argentina, Peru Guatemala, Puerto Rico and Mexico.

For more information on Milka Duno please visit www.milkaduno.com.

- CapehartPR Press Release

Milka Duno

The event will be in Miami’s Central Business District surrounding Miami Dade College. The bububooks.com booth will be located in section E of the fair located on NE 3rd Street, between 1st and 2nd Avenues.

“Go, Milka, Go!” — about Duno’s life and racing career — was awarded the Best Young Adult Sports/Recreation Book of 2009 at the 11th Annual International Latino Book Awards.

Duno also will answer questions, pose for photos and offer words of encouragement that embody her “Milka Way” program. The program’s mission is to inspire children and young adults to “Aim for the Stars” and achieve academic excellence. Duno has taken this message to schools across the nation and internationally.

“I am very passionate about education and I want to do everything that I can to inspire young people to study hard and aim for the stars,” Duno said. “I’m honored to be involved with bububooks because we share the same passion and have similar goals.”

- IZOD IndyCar Series Press Release