Nine Pennsylvania Students Awarded Verizon Foundation Scholarships

PHILADELPHIA - Paying for college just got easier for nine Pennsylvania students who are children and dependents of Verizon employees.  The students, who are among 809 Verizon scholars, will each receive a scholarship of $5,000 per academic year.

Verizon's scholarship program selects recipients based on financial need, academic achievement and extracurricular activities.  The scholarships are for high school seniors who plan to attend an accredited four-year institution. Each scholarship is renewable for three years and has a total value of $20,000. 

This year's Pennsylvania recipients are:

• Brian Bacik of Pittsburgh, son of employee David Bacik, who plans to attend Penn State University Park.

• Paul Boothman of Downingtown, son of employee Grace Flanagan, who plans to attend Saint Joseph's University.
• Chelsee Bower of Williamsport, daughter of employee Gregory Bower, who plans to attend Monmouth University.
• Bridgette Clarke of Mifflinville, daughter of employee Kelly Clarke, who plans to attend Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania.
• Jamie Crookham of Aliquippa, daughter of employee David Crookham, who plans to attend Ithaca College.
• Joseph DiDominic of West Mifflin, son of employee Maria DiDominic, who plans to attend the University of Pittsburgh.
• Trenice Scott of New Castle, daughter of employee Latrice Scott, who plans to attend Mercyhurst College.
• Alyssa Shadle of Galeton, daughter of employee Thomas Detwiler, who plans to attend Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania.
• Desiree White of Upper Darby, daughter of employee Vive Williams, who plans to attend the University of Pittsburgh.

Since 2001, 2,152 students from across the country have benefited from the scholarship program, which has invested almost $36 million toward the college education of children and dependents of Verizon employees. For the 2009-2010 academic year, the Verizon Foundation will provide a total of more than $4 million for the scholarships.

"Our commitment to developing a skilled work force for the 21st century begins at home, with the children of our employees," said Gale Y. Given, president of Verizon Pennsylvania. "Verizon proudly supports these students because we realize that we're investing in the education of our future leaders, an investment that will yield great results for our communities." 

The Verizon Foundation awards the scholarships in partnership with Scholarship America, the nation's largest nonprofit, private sector scholarship and educational support organization, which was founded in 1958.

A list of 2009 Verizon scholars is available on the Verizon Foundation Web site at http://www.verizonfoundation.org/about/press/scholstudents09.shtml.

The Verizon Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Verizon Communications, supports the advancement of literacy and K-12 education through its free educational Web site, Thinkfinity.org, and fosters awareness and prevention of domestic violence.  In 2008, the Verizon Foundation awarded more than $68 million in grants to nonprofit agencies in the U.S. and abroad.  It also matched the charitable donations of Verizon employees and retirees, resulting in an additional $26 million in combined contributions to nonprofits.  Through Verizon Volunteers, one of the nation's largest employee volunteer programs, Verizon employees and retirees have volunteered more than 3 million hours of community service since 2000. For more information on the foundation, visit www.verizonfoundation.org.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ), headquartered in New York, is a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wireline communications services to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers.  Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving more than 86 million customers nationwide.  Verizon's Wireline operations provide converged communications, information and entertainment services over the nation's most advanced fiber-optic network.  Wireline also includes Verizon Business, which delivers innovative and seamless business solutions to customers around the world.  A Dow 30 company, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of more than 237,000 and last year generated consolidated operating revenues of more than $97 billion.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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