Hoar Construction and GMAC Bowl Help Fifth Graders Get Back in the Swing

(MOBILE, Ala.)- Hoar Construction and the GMAC Bowl are helping fifth grade students from across the southeast get back into the daily routine of school with the seventh annual HOAR Construction/GMAC Bowl Reading and Writing Program. The program began on Monday, September 10, 2007, and will run through Friday, November 9, 2007.

The nine week contest is open to all fifth graders in the state of Alabama and the Gulf Coast regions of Florida and Mississippi. Last year, thanks to the support of educators throughout the region, over 7,000 entries were received.

Students that enter the contest are required to read a book and submit a written book report in 250 words or less. A panel of judges will select 10 finalists, who will then compete for first place.

Over 2000 fourth grade students were invited to join last year’s 10 finalists for the awards ceremony which included the Blue Angels Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the University of South Alabama Cheerleading Squad, Miss Mobile County and the Baker High School Chorus were also on hand for the ceremony. “We’ve had overwhelming response to this program for a number of years now,” says Jerry Silverstein, GMAC Bowl President, “and by inviting the fourth graders to the ceremony, we hope to encourage the program coordinators and students to participate in the contest the following year.”

Savings bonds will be awarded to the 10 finalists in amounts ranging from $10,000 to $500. In addition, the 10 winners will also be invited to attend the events taking place during GMAC Bowl Week, including the FCA Breakfast, the GMAC Financial Services Mayor’s Banquet, and the GMAC Bowl game.

Over the past six years, the Hoar Construction/GMAC Bowl Reading and Writing Program has donated over $117,000 in savings bonds to students in the fifth grade.

The GMAC Bowl will be played on January 6, 2008, at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Alabama, and will be televised nationally on ESPN.

For more information about the Hoar Construction/GMAC Bowl Reading and Writing Program, please visit www.gmacbowl.com or call the GMAC Bowl office at 251-635-0011.