Seven High School Students, Aided by Verizon International Foundation Grant, Will Represent Mexico in U.S. Science Fair

MEXICO CITY -- Funding from Verizon International Foundation will enable seven Mexican high school students to compete May 12 to 18 at the prestigious 2002 International Science and Engineering Fair in Louisville, Ky.

The students all won first prizes in Mexico's national competition, which qualifies them to attend the international event. Each of their research projects demonstrated how discarded materials can be recycled for commercial purposes. The students are Ernesto Arteaga Zavala, Martín A. Carmona Aceves, Mario A. Valdivia Vázquez, Joaquín E. Acosta Fonseca, Anely Chávez Sánchez, Ismael J. Vizcaíno Pérez and Carlos Gallegos Goytia

Each year over 1500 students from 45 countries earned the right to compete for college scholarships and other awards at the International Science and Engineering Fair. Verizon's grant will pay for travel and other expenses of the students.

This is the second year Verizon International Foundation has sponsored students from Mexico. The foundation also is sponsoring a team from Thailand.

"Our sponsorship reflects our commitment to education and technology," said Fares F. Salloum, president-international, the Americas for Verizon and chairman of the board of Iusacell.

Verizon has a 39.4 percent ownership stake in Iusacell, a leading telecommunications company in Mexico.

"Verizon awards these grants to help Mexican students who are interested in science and engineering pursue that interest and to encourage them to consider careers in these important fields," Salloum said.

One of the student's teachers, Teresa Méndez Juárez, and Ricardo Q. Pérez Rodríguez, representing Mexico's national science competition, will accompany the students on their trip to the United States.

Verizon International Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Verizon International, supports a variety of education and economic initiatives that focus on literacy, workforce development and community technology development. The foundation is committed to improving the quality of life of the global communities and customers served by Verizon and its international affiliates. The foundation works closely with Verizon affiliates and a variety of advisory groups and other organizations to identify local needs and to develop and nurture programs that serve those needs.

Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) is one of the world's leading providers of communications services. Verizon companies are the largest providers of wireline and wireless communications in the United States, with 133.8 million access line equivalents and approximately 29.6 million wireless customers. Verizon is also the largest directory publisher in the world. With more than $67 billion in annual revenues and approximately 248,000 employees, Verizon's global presence extends to more than 40 countries in the Americas, Europe, Asia and the Pacific. For more information on Verizon, visit www.verizon.com.

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