Press Release

Writing Contest Winners To Be Announced Wednesday, May 24

WRITING CONTEST FINALISTS ANNOUNCED
All-Expense Paid Trip To London Will Be Awarded To Winners

Five winners of the annual Denver Children's Essay Contest will be announced Wednesday, May 24, at an awards reception at West High School, 951 Elati.

DPS students in grades five through ten were asked to write an essay on the following topic: "Compare a Person From the United States With a Person From the United Kingdom Who Has Made A Significant Impact On Our Society." The contest is jointly sponsored by British Airways and TIAA-CREF.

More than 240 students entered the essay contest. Students wrote about individuals from a range of fields, including writers, scientists, artists and political leaders.

A celebrity panel of judges selected the six winners - one from each eligible grade - from the 17 finalists. The winners, along with two teachers, will receive a five-night, all-expense paid trip on British Airways to London in July.

The winning students will visit London as "Ambassadors of Academic Excellence." Highlights of their trip will include a tour of the House of Parliament, an excursion to Stratford-on-Avon and a night in London's theater district.

"The contest encourages youngsters to reach out and learn about other cultures around the world and British Airways is proud to be involved with such a rewarding program. The winning students will be sure to remember the trip to England as a once-in-a-lifetime experience," said Nick DeMarco, director of sales of British Airways in Denver.

"At TIAA-CREF, we know that the future of America rests with the children of today. That's why we're proud to say that for more than 80 years, we've been committed to education and to the people who shape our future leaders. We're also proud to sponsor, along with British Airways, the Denver Public Schools Writing Contest 2000, which uses writing to promote cross cultural understanding," said Patty Fontneau, vice president and general manager of TIAA-CREF, a financial service organization.

The reception is scheduled from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. at West.

Following is list of finalists:

FIFTH GRADE
Keyaushia Adams, Park Hill Elementary
Marc Esparza, Smith Renaissance Academy
Reed Johnson, Garden Place Academy

SIXTH GRADE
Tim Mapoles, Hamilton Middle School
Hannah Melnicoe, Hamilton Middle School
Deanna Walker, Henry Middle School

SEVENTH GRADE
Brittany Little, Smiley Middle School
Ian Nelson, Hamilton Middle School
Brian Shevitski, Smiley Middle School

EIGHTH GRADE
Gina Aiello, Baker Middle School
Jessie Boucher, Grant Middle School
Joey Miller, Morey Middle School

NINTH GRADE
Vanessa Black, Kennedy High School
Katherine McManus, Kennedy High School
Rionna Vigil, Kennedy High School

TENTH GRADE
Nick West-Miles
Alison Peters

Media contacts:

Agnes Huff or Tiffany Smith
Fraser/Huff Public Relations
310-319-0098 or 310-319-6413

Emma Whitmore
TIAA-CREF
303-748-3970 or 1-800-842-2733 ext. 3670
917-334-0988

Christine Smith
Denver Public Schools
720-423-3580