120 Winners Each Awarded $8,000, Four-Year Scholarships
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Wendy Sept or Linda Blakley
(479) 273-4314
Bentonville, Ark., May 19, 2004 Ð Wal-Mart today announced the names of 120 members of the class of 2004 who have won Walton Family Foundation Scholarships. These scholarships, which are fully funded by the Walton Family Foundation and administered by the Wal-Mart Foundation, are offered to college-bound high school seniors who are sons and daughters of Wal-Mart associates who have been employed full-time for at least one year. Winners announced today were chosen from among more than 1900 students from across the nation who submitted applications.
A committee of outstanding volunteer educators and public officials select the scholars based upon ACT/SAT test scores, financial need, cumulative grade point average (GPA), and school/community involvement. The scholarship may be used to attend any two-or-four-year accredited college or university in the United States.
"Wal-Mart recognizes that the education of our youth today has a profound impact on the vitality of our communities tomorrow," said Betsy Reithemeyer, Wal-Mart vice president and executive director of the Wal-Mart Foundation. "Its with this in mind that Wal-Mart invests in the future success of America through a variety of educational opportunities for students.
"We commend these scholars for their academic achievement, community service and focus on the future," said Reithemeyer.
Wal-Mart is one of the leading supporters of education in the United States. In addition to administering the Walton Family Foundation Scholarships, Wal-Mart funds one-year associate scholarships offered to college-bound high school seniors who work for the company. Also, each Wal-Mart Store and SAMS CLUB open and operating as of February 1st awarded two $1000 Sam M. Walton Community Scholarships to qualifying local high school seniors. Recipients were selected by an independent panel of judges who consider academic record, ACT/SAT test scores, community/extracurricular involvement, work experience, and financial need. Since 1979, Wal-Mart has presented more than $80 million in scholarships.
The full list of Walton Family Foundation Scholars for 2004, with the cities and states from which they were chosen, follows.
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., operates Wal-Mart Stores, Supercenters, Neighborhood Markets and SAMS CLUBS in all fifty states. Internationally, the company operates in Puerto Rico, Canada, China, Mexico, Brazil, Germany, United Kingdom, Argentina and South Korea. The companys securities are listed on the New York and Pacific stock exchanges under the symbol WMT. Last year, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., contributed more than $150 million to support communities and local non-profit organizations. Customers and associates raised an additional $70 million at stores and clubs.
Walton Family Scholarship Winners:
