Special Event: From The High School Hardwood to the National Championship in St. Louis! Monday, January 15, 2001 By Jeff Jubelirer SJSports Special Correspondent Voorhees-based American Water Works Company recently launched its second annual Hoops and Heroes scholarship program for female high school basketball players. The program rewards scholar-athletes for their academic, athletic and community achievements. The players must first be nominated by their coaches, then must submit an essay describing how participating in sports has contributed to their personal growth. A distinguished panel of St. Louis community leaders will then judge the entries. Eight first-place winners will be chosen to travel to St. Louis to attend the women's national collegiate basketball championship game in April, in addition to a $1,000 savings bond! The winners also take part in an awards ceremony in their honor. In addition, eight second-place winners will receive $500 savings bonds. This year, the company invited over 160 high schools in New Jersey to participate (to find out if your school is eligible, call Jeff Jubelirer, Program Coordinator, at 215.790.4415). Last year's program, which included winners from Egg Harbor Township and Delaware Valley High Schools, culminated in a Philadelphia awards ceremony that featured ESPN sports anchor Robin Roberts; WNBA Indiana Fever assistant head coach Anne Donovan; and former chair of the NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Committee Bernadette McGlade. Ask your coach or athletic director for more information about the program. Please note that the deadline for submissions has been extended until January 29. For more information, visit www.amwater.com.

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