Dr. Maya Angelou and Alltel Announce Words of Wisdom Scholarship Winners; Ten Students Win $4,000 Scholarships to Historically Black Colleges and Universities

The 10 winners were selected by educators, business leaders andAlltel officials based on their responses to the essay question, "Whatwords of wisdom will you pass on to those who come after you?"

Scholarship winners are: Karah Bailey, Florida A&M; DionneGilchrist, Norfolk State University; Tiffany Henry, University ofArkansas at Pine Bluff; Antoine Marshall, Claflin University; AshleyJackson, Tougaloo College; Deirdra Beatty, Fayetteville StateUniversity; Lawrence Henry, Xavier University of Louisiana; ShondolynGalloway, North Carolina Central University; Britani Childs, HamptonUniversity; and Candace Moore, Virginia Union University.

"The Words of Wisdom Scholarship Program underscores Alltel'scommitment to the African-American community and our company isdelighted to work with Dr. Angelou on a project that rewards collegestudents for putting an emphasis on their education," said ReginaWoziwodzki, director of multicultural marketing for Alltel.

"These young people are sharing what they know will prove usefulto future generations," said Dr. Angelou. "I am proud to be a part ofthis program and to have come in contact with such an inspired groupof young people."

During their visit to Little Rock, the winners also toured severallocal landmarks, including the Clinton Library, Arkansas Arts Center'sAfrican Masterpieces from the New Orleans Museum of Art and LittleRock Central High School and Museum. Reception attendees dined on amenu from Dr. Angelou's book, "Hallelujah! the welcome table" andenjoyed a performance by the Philander Smith Collegiate Choir.

Alltel supports a number of annual multicultural and sportingevents in the African-American community, including the HBCU FootballClassics and several athletic departments at HBCU institutions; aMartin Luther King Jr. celebration in Cleveland and a MLK parade inJackson, Miss., the largest in the United States; the Lynch StreetFestival in Jackson, and the Jazz Series and Pride Awards inCharlotte, N.C. This marks the second year for Alltel to sponsor anessay contest and scholarship program in celebration of Black HistoryMonth.

Dr. Maya Angelou is hailed as one of the greatest voices ofcontemporary literature. An internationally respected poet, writer,civil rights activist and educator, Dr. Angelou has authored twelvebest-selling books, has been nominated for a Pulitzer Prize and wasone of the first black women directors in Hollywood. She has written,produced, directed and starred in productions for stage, film andtelevision.

Alltel is owner and operator of the nation's largest wirelessnetwork and has more than 10 million wireless customers.

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