26 Pennsylvania Students Awarded Verizon Foundation Scholarships

PHILADELPHIA, June 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Paying for college just got easier for 26 Pennsylvania students who are children and dependents of Verizon employees. The Verizon scholars, who include 250 students entering four-year colleges this fall, 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.

This year's recipients in Pennsylvania are: -- Nicholas Barlow of Erie, son of employee Barbara Barlow, who plans to attend Gannon University. -- Rebecca Brown of Wernersville, daughter of employee Thomas Brown, who plans to attend Villanova University. -- Michelle Cain of Ambler, daughter of employee Susan Cain, who plans to attend Penn State University Park. -- Aurelie Corrigan of Havertown, daughter of employee Joseph Corrigan, who plans to attend Allegheny College. -- Christine Crowley of West Chester, daughter of employee John Crowley, who plans to attend the University of Pittsburgh. -- Danielle and Diona Drake of Harleysville, daughters of employee Stephen Drake, who plan to attend East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania. -- Altrina Futrell of Altoona, daughter of employee Monica Zajac, who plans to attend West Chester University of Pennsylvania. -- Charles George of Palmerton, son of employee Charles George, who plans to attend Kutztown University of Pennsylvania. -- Matthew Labriola of Altoona, son of employee Anthony Labriola, who plans to attend Penn State Altoona. -- Jason Manjerovic of Pittsburgh, son of Gregory Manjerovic, who plans to attend Saint Joseph's University. -- Leah McFarland of Mt. Pleasant, daughter of employee James McFarland, who plans to attend California University of Pennsylvania. -- Brian Palladino of Larksville, son of employee Karen Palladino, who plans to attend the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia. -- Nicole Parker of Southampton, daughter of employee Franklin Parker, who plans to attend St. Francis University. -- Brittany Pattinson of East Fallowfield, daughter of employee Cynthia Montalvo, who plans to attend Drexel University. -- Joseph Pontius of Philadelphia, son of employee Gregory Pontious, who plans to attend Temple University. -- James Rehl of Philadelphia, son of employee James Rehl, who plans to attend Villanova University. -- Michelle Sopko of Glenmoore, daughter of employee William Sopko, who plans to attend Northeastern University. -- Sean Teevan of Olyphant, son of employee James Teevan, who plans to attend Penn State Worthington-Scranton. -- Alain Vincent of Lansdowne, daughter of employee Eveline Gerard-Vincent, who plans to attend Drexel University. -- Bree Washburn of Emmaus, daughter of employee Dale Washburn, who plans to attend Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania. -- Joseph Weaver of Bethlehem, son of employee Rebecca Weaver, who plans to attend Temple University. -- Emma Decker of Leetsdale, daughter of employee Sharon Decker, who plans to attend St. Mary's College of Maryland. -- Chessa Fernandez of Zelienople, daughter of employee Luis Fernandez, who plans to attend Indiana University of Pennsylvania. -- Kaylee Giger of Valencia, daughter of employee Lynne Giger, who plans to attend Penn State University Park. -- Chelsea Johnston of Lehighton, daughter of employee Kimberly Schaude, who plans to attend Seton Hill University.

Since 2001, more than 2,050 students from across the country have benefited from the scholarship program, which has invested almost $32.3 million toward the college education of children and dependents of Verizon employees. For the 2008-2009 academic year, the Verizon Foundation will invest approximately $4.6 million toward the education of 933 Verizon scholars, consisting of 250 freshmen and 683 upperclassmen.

"Our commitment to developing a skilled work force for the 21st century begins at home, with the children of our employees," said William B. Petersen, 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 Verizon scholars is available on the Verizon Foundation Web site at http://www.verizon.com/foundation.

The Verizon Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Verizon Communications, supports the advancement of literacy and K-12 education through its signature program, Thinkfinity.org, and fosters awareness and prevention of domestic violence. In 2007, the foundation awarded more than $67.4 million in grants to nonprofit agencies in the United States and abroad. The foundation also matched the charitable donations of Verizon employees and retirees, resulting in $25.1 million in combined contributions. 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 Verizon's inception in 2000.

For more information on the foundation, visit http://www.verizon.com/foundation.

Verizon Communications Inc. , headquartered in New York, is a leader in delivering broadband and other wireline and wireless communication innovations to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers. Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving more than 67 million customers nationwide. Verizon's Wireline operations include Verizon Business, which delivers innovative and seamless business solutions to customers around the world, and Verizon Telecom, which brings customers the benefits of converged communications, information and entertainment services over the nation's most advanced fiber-optic network. A Dow 30 company, Verizon employed a diverse workforce of approximately 232,000 as of the end of the first quarter 2008 and last year generated consolidated operating revenues of $93.5 billion. For more information, visit http://www.verizon.com/.

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