FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Susan Packer Davis/Hille, Esq. Administrator
Date: June 12, 2001

City, State: Santa Monica, California

CONCORD HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS AWARDED PRESIDENT'S STUDENT SERVICE SCHOLARSHIP

     Connor Bascue and Alexis Light have been awarded President's Student Service Scholarships from the Corporation for National Service and Concord High School in recognition of their outstanding service to the community.

     Administered by the Corporation for National Service, the President's Student Service Scholarships are awarded to high school juniors or seniors to recognize their exemplary record of community service. The Corporation for National Service provides $500, matched with a $500 scholarship from the school, a local civic group, business, or faith-based organization.

     These scholarships are part of the President's Student Service Challenge, a national initiative that seeks to promote the growth of service by young people. Scholarships are awarded to students who have dedicated 100 or more hours of service to their community. Over 13,000 scholarships have been awarded since the program's inception.

     "The President's Challenge lets young people know that their service is important to the entire nation," said Wendy Zenker, acting CEO of the Corporation for National Service, which oversees the President's Student Service Challenge. "By recognizing those who serve with scholarships and awards, we hope to encourage even more young people to serve and continue their service in college and beyond."

     Connor Bascue and Alexis Light will graduate from Concord High School in June of 2002. During the past year, Connor has volunteered as a candidate for the rank of Eagle Scout, collecting books for the Alma Reaves Wood Library in Watts, for their children's reading program. He collected over 5,000 books. Alexis volunteered with the Peer Education Project of Los Angeles, a peer education HIV and AIDS awareness group for teens, and with the North American Federation of Temple Youth, a reform Jewish youth group that focuses on social action and social justice.

     Created by Congress in 1993, the Corporation for National Service provides Americans of all ages with opportunities to improve communities through programs such as AmeriCorps, Learn and Serve America, and the National Senior Service Corps.