Students encouraged to enter 'Share the Dream' essay contest

As the second half of the school year begins, high schools students are dreaming of college campuses, dorm rooms and most of all tuition. A higher education is crucial in today's society, but not all students are able to pursue their dreams without the help of scholarships. The El Campo Coca-Cola Bottling Company is doing its part to help make the dream of college a reality by sponsoring the 19th Annual "Coca-Cola Share the Dream" essay contest.

The Coca-Cola Share the Dream scholarship program challenges students to write an essay based on this year's theme:- "Who speaks for or inspires your generation and what are they saying? If you think no one does, what needs to be said?"

A total of $15,500 in scholarship money will be awarded to 24 student winners in the contest.

High school students in grades nine through 12 from throughout the greater Houston area and Southeast Texas area are eligible for the scholarships. Students are invited to submit one essay of 500 words or fewer that addresses this year's theme.

The essays are then reviewed and evaluated by a panel of judges consisting of Houston-area educators and community leaders. Essays will be judged on originality, content, creativity, grammar, punctuation and vocabulary. All entries must be accompanied by a completed application form and be received by March 5.

The 24 scholarship winners will be honored at an awards banquet on Friday, May 16 at Minute Maid Park, the home of the Houston Astros. The grand-prize winner will receive a $2,500 scholarship and a personal computer; the first-place winner will receive a $1,500 scholarship and a personal computer; secondplace winner will receive a $1,000 scholarship and a personal computer; and third-place winner will receive $500 and a personal computer. Each of the remaining 20 finalists will receive a $500 Dream' essay contest

scholarship.

"At Coca-Cola, we strongly believe in the importance of education as it impacts our youth, our society and our future," said Bruce Morrison, sales center manager for the El Campo Coca-Cola Bottling Company. "We are committed to helping our community's youth reach their goals of a higher education as we depend on an educated work force continuing to grow and prosper. Over the past 18 years, this program has benefited more than 298 students with more than $185,000 in scholarships."

Applications for the "Coca-Cola Share the Dream" contest are available through high school counselors during the month of February. Students or parents needing more information can call the contest hotline at 1-800-279-0901.

The El Campo Coca-Cola Bottling Company is an operating company of Coca-Cola Enterprises.