LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Monday, March 31, 2008)— Ten graduating high school seniors and college students from across the country gathered in Little Rock, Ark. today as Alltel Wireless, America's largest network, and Dr. Maya Angelou announced the winners of the fourth annual "Words of Wisdom" essay contest during a luncheon at the William J. Clinton Presidential Center. Each of the ten winners received a $5,000 scholarship to the participating Historically Black College and University (HBCU) of their choice.
The 2008 "Words of Wisdom" scholarship recipients were selected by a panel comprised of educators, business leaders and Alltel Wireless employees based on their response to the question, "In remembering the past, what will you do to contribute to a brighter future?" More than 1,300 essays were submitted for consideration.
Scholarship recipients are:
• Tiffany Burgess, Kingstree, S.C., is attending South Carolina State University in Orangeburg, S.C.
• Jamon Carson, Winston Salem, N.C., will be attending North Carolina A & T State University in Greensboro, N.C.
• Jessica David, Richmond, Va., will be attending Spelman College in Atlanta, Ga.
• Albert Edwards, La Quinta, Ca., is attending Morehouse College in Atlanta, Ga.
• Jeffrey Eugene, Savannah, Ga., is attending Hampton University in Hampton, Va.
• Derrien Hinton, Raleigh, N.C., will be attending Howard University in Washington, D.C.
• Jessica Sanders, Gastonia, N.C., will be attending Hampton University in Hampton, Va.
• Mya Stayton, St. Louis, Mo., is attending Tuskegee University in Tuskegee, Ala.
• Isis Tarrats, Charleston, S.C., is attending Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, N.C.
• Brittany Wyatt, Newport News, Va., will be attending Howard University in Washington, D.C.
Student winners and their guests also enjoyed a private concert with R&B sensation Ruben Studdard at the Windsong Performing Arts Center. Studdard, a HBCU graduate from Alabama A&M University, performed at the "Words of Wisdom" reception for the first time this year.
While in Little Rock, the student winners toured local historical landmarks including the Arkansas Governor's Mansion and Central High School, where nine African American students led the way for school integration in the United States.
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