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LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Ten high school seniors and current college students received scholarship awards today as winners of the fifth annual “Words of Wisdom” essay contest, sponsored by Alltel Wireless. At a luncheon at Alltel Arena in Little Rock, Ark., renowned poet Dr. Maya Angelou presented a $10,000 scholarship to each winner to attend the participating Historically Black College and University (HBCU) of their choice.

The 2009 “Words of Wisdom” scholarship recipients were selected by a panel of local educators, business leaders and the company’s employees based on the student’s response to a question about building on a new spirit of change. More than 1,200 essays were submitted for consideration.

Scholarship recipients are: 

• Heidi Choice, Fayetteville, N.C., attending Fayetteville State University in Fayetteville, N.C.
• Dalan Carter, Hebron, Ky., will attend Morehouse College in Atlanta, Ga.
• Indigo Webley, Brandon, Fla., will attend Hampton University in Hampton, Va.
• Max Beauvoir, Tallahassee, Fla., attending Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, Fla.
• Justin Shaw, Beaumont, Texas, attending Morehouse College in Atlanta, Ga.
• Maurice Culver, Gary, Ind., attending Philander Smith College in Little Rock, Ark.
• Karissa Vaughn, Painted Post, N.Y., will attend Hampton University in Hampton, Va.
• Lethaniel Norton Pinckney, Philadelphia, Pa., will attend Tuskegee University in Tuskegee, Ala.
• Monique Kirkman Bey, Greenbelt, Md., attending Howard University in Washington, D.C.
• Chastity Wells, Portland, Ore., attending Spelman College in Atlanta, Ga.

“The ‘Words of Wisdom’ essay contest celebrates the achievements of African-American students from across the country,” said Regina Woziwodzki, associate director of marketing for the company. “We are proud to honor these students for their commitment to education and we encourage them to continue to seek opportunities to evoke change in our country.”

“As we celebrate the triumphs taking place today, each of us must remember that our work is never finished,” said Dr. Angelou. “These young people embody the new spirit of change, and it was a pleasure spending time with each of them and listening to their plans for our future.”  

Prior to the luncheon, student winners and their guests enjoyed a private concert with R&B sensation Musiq Soulchild at Chenal Country Club. 

“The cost of a quality college education can be overwhelming at times,” said Soulchild. “I commend the scholarship recipients for making an investment in their future by pursuing opportunities like the ‘Words of Wisdom’ essay contest, which will undoubtedly help make higher education an affordable reality.”

While in Little Rock, the students also toured local historical landmarks including the Arkansas Governor’s Mansion, Mosaic Templars Museum and Central High School, where nine African-American students led the way for school integration in the United States.

Verizon Wireless acquired Alltel earlier this year.  As part of the regulatory approval required for the acquisition, Verizon Wireless agreed to divest overlapping Alltel markets in 22 states.  Those markets have been placed in a management trust which will operate those markets under the Alltel brand until they are sold to one or more buyers.