2000 FINA/Dallas Morning News All-State Scholar-Athlete Team Selected; Twelve Texas High School Seniors to Receive Scholarships

Business Wire, March 28, 2000

Business Editors & Sports Writers

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 28, 2000

Twelve high school seniors who lettered in varsity sports and posted exemplary records of scholastic achievement, leadership and community service have been named to the 2000 FINA / Dallas Morning News All-State Scholar-Athlete Team sponsored by WFAA-TV, Southwest Airlines and The Staubach Company.

The Team members, representing all accredited public and private high schools throughout Texas, were selected by a panel of judges from 44 finalists whose names were announced in January. Some 2,500 varsity athletes from more than 1,000 Texas high schools, all ranking in the top 10 percent of their classes and with grade averages of 90 or better, submitted applications.

Each of the 12 Team members receives a $4,000 scholarship. In June, they will be honored, along with their parents and school representative, at a banquet in Dallas. At that time, the Honorary Team captain will be named and presented the Tom Landry Award For Outstanding Achievement.

    Members of the 2000 All-State Scholar-Athlete Team are:

 Team Member          High School                        Hometown
 -----------          -----------                        --------
 Laura Crenwelge      Fredericksburg High School         Harper
 Drew DeWalt          Reicher Catholic High School       Waco
 Pamela Gerik         West High School                   West
 Rea Harrison         Clear Brook High School            Friendswood
 Amanda Henkes        L.D. Bell High School              Hurst
 Keleigh Karl         Industrial High School             Victoria
 Lauren LaRue         Memorial High School               Houston
 Myda Luu             Irving High School                 Irving
 Jesus Salinas, Jr.   Edinburg High School               Edinburg
 Joy Sparrowhawk      Texas City High School             Texas City
 Dimitri Thomas       Academy of Science & Technology -  The Woodlands
                      Oak Ridge High School
 Adam Williams        Killeen High School                Killeen

The judges' selections were based on academic achievement, and participation and leadership in school and community activities. Athletic ability was not a criterion for selection. Each of the 32 finalists not named to the Team will receive a $500 scholarship.

The All-State Scholar-Athlete Team scholarship program was begun by FINA in 1985 to highlight the accomplishments of the large number of high school athletes who excel in the classroom, while also providing leadership and service to their schools and communities. In 1991, The Dallas Morning News joined FINA as program title sponsor. Southwest Airlines and The Staubach Company became sponsors in 1993. The program welcomed WFAA-TV as a sponsor in 1996.

"The magnificent records of the young men and women named to this Team make us very proud," said Ron W. Haddock, President and Chief Executive Officer of FINA. "The finalists and Team members represent thousands of accomplished teenagers who not only work hard in school, but make meaningful contributions that benefit entire communities and set superb examples for their peers. By spotlighting their great accomplishments, we hope to encourage other youngsters to emulate them."

"We salute FINA's continuing vision and commitment to this extraordinary program; and it goes without saying we are deeply honored to participate." said Robert W. Mong, Jr., President and General Manager of The Dallas Morning News. "The abundant accomplishments of these young people make it clear that our future will be in energetic, caring and capable hands."

Nine of the 12 Team members ranked first in their classes at the time applications were submitted, and two were second. Two are student body presidents; two are class presidents, and all hold other student leadership offices. Five are captains of their high school athletic teams. All are members of the National Honor Society, and all took part in interscholastic competitions. Also, all 12 have been involved in tutoring, mentoring, or anti-drug campaigns.

The scholarship judges were Jan Collmer, President of Collmer Semiconductor; Ka Cotter, President of Staubach Global Services; Matrice Ellis-Kirk, Partner of Heidrick & Struggles; Al Gonzalez, President of AGE Refining and Marketing; Judge Ron Harris. Collin County Judge; Erma Johnson, Vice Chancellor for Administration of the Tarrant County Community College District; Dr. Wright Lassiter, President of El Centro College; Tom Lazo, President of Lazo Technologies, Inc.; Mark "Hawkeye" Louis, KSCS Radio Personality; Valencia McClure, Community Services Manager at WFAA-TV; A.K. Mago, Chairman, Greater Dallas Indo-American Chamber of Commerce; Rena Pedersen, Vice President and Editorial Page Editor for The Dallas Morning News; Erika Sanchez, Advertising Sections Manager for the Dallas Morning News; Libby Sartain, Vice President of the People Department of Southwest Airlines; Joel Sharp, Captain of FINA's 1987 All-State Scholar-Athlete Team and attorney at Jenkens & Gilchrist.