Special Event:
American Water Works Company Launches Third Annual Hoops & Heroes Scholarship Program
Female Scholar-Athletes Across the Country Write Essays for Chance to Win Educational Savings Bond and the Opportunity to Attend Women's Collegiate National Championship Basketball Game
Tuesday, January 29, 2002
By Sherry Lytle
American Water Works Correspondent
American Water Works Company (NYSE:AWK) today announced the kick-off of its third annual Hoops & Heroes scholarship program. Designed to reward female high school basketball players for their academic and athletic achievements, Hoops & Heroes will award eight students from across the U.S. with a $1,000 educational savings bond and the opportunity to attend the 2002 women's national collegiate championship basketball game (March 31). Eight second-place winners will collect a $500 educational savings bond.
"We're proud to recognize the academic, personal and athletic accomplishments of young women across the country. As a former player who has taken the lessons learned from the world of sports into the world business, I understand the integral role sports have in shaping future leaders," said Marilyn Ware, chairman of the board, American Water Works Company.
American Water Works recently invited approximately 900 high schools in 26 states to nominate a player on their female basketball team to represent the school as its scholar-athlete "hero". The company is asking each student to write an essay describing how participating in sports has contributed to their personal growth.
A renowned panel of political, academic and media leaders from eight regions across the country will judge the students essays.
The 2001 program, based in the championship city of St. Louis, culminated in an awards ceremony last April highlighted by keynote speaker Robin Roberts of ESPN, WNBA Charlotte Sting coach Anne Donovan and chair of the NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Committee Dr. Maryalyce Jeremiah. The 2002 awards program will take place on March 30 in a yet-to-be-determined San Antonio location.
"Hoops & Heroes" has generated national media attention including features on ESPN's Scholastics Sports America and CNN's Headline News in addition to coverage in over 60 regional newspapers throughout the U.S.
American Water Works Company, headquartered in Voorhees, NJ, is the largest publicly traded United States corporation devoted exclusively to the business of water, providing service to nearly 16 million people throughout North America.
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