Hoar Construction and GMAC Bowl Award Fifth Graders with $20,000 for Reading and Writing

(MOBILE, Ala.) – Hoar Construction, along with the GMAC Bowl, presented 10 fifth graders from the southeast with savings bonds totaling $20,000 as a reward for their outstanding reading and writing at a ceremony at the Mobile Civic Center Theater on Monday, December 10, 2007.

The seventh annual Hoar Construction/GMAC Bowl Reading and Writing Contest, which began on September 10, 2007, was open to all fifth graders in the state of Alabama and the Gulf Coast regions of Florida and Mississippi. Thanks to the support of educators throughout the region, over 9,000 entries were received from fifth graders.

Students that entered the contest were requested to read a book and submit a written book report in 250 words or less following the entry form guidelines. A panel of judges selected 10 finalists who were invited to Mobile to participate in the final stage of the program which consisted of writing an additional short book report of a pre-selected book for the judges.

On Monday, December 10, 2007, the 10 finalists joined over 2000 fourth grade students from Mobile public and private schools at the Civic Center Theater in a special awards ceremony. Mayor Sam Jones welcomed the teachers and students and Dr. Joe Morton, State School Superintendent, addressed the crowd. The Blue Angels Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the University of South Alabama ROTC, Brynn Armstrong, New York’s Junior Miss, the Baker High School Dance Team and the Baker High School Chorus were on hand for the ceremony. By inviting area fourth graders to the annual awards ceremony, program coordinators hope to encourage these students to participate in the contest the following year.

Savings bonds were awarded to the 10 finalists in amounts ranging from $10,000 for first place to $500 for 10th place. In addition, the 10 winners were invited to attend the events taking place during GMAC Bowl Week, including the FCA Breakfast, the GMAC Financial Services Mayor’s Banquet, the Greer’s Mardi Gras Parade and the GMAC Bowl game.

Over the past seven years, the Hoar Construction/GMAC Bowl Reading and Writing Contest has donated over $100,000 in savings bonds to aspiring students in the fifth grade.

The GMAC Bowl will be played on January 6, 2008, at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Alabama. The game will be televised nationally on ESPN. Kick-off is set for 7:00 pm CST.

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

Hoar Construction/GMAC Bowl Reading and Writing Contest 2007 Finalists

Richard Allen King II – $10,000
Heritage Elementary
Madison, AL

Logann Smith – $3,000
Lynn Elementary
Lynn, AL

Chiara Washington-$1,500
Paramount Elementary
Boligee, AL

John Collin Powell – $1000
Jones Valley Elementary
Grand Bay, AL

Alise Robison – $1,000
St, Ignatius
Mobile, AL

Timothy Holloway – $1,000
Collier Elementary
Mobile, AL

Timea Neal – $500
Troy Elementary
Troy, AL

Tyler Grace Thull – $500
Council Traditional School
Mobile, AL

Sage Isabella Herroitt – $500
Castlen Elementary
Huntsville, AL

Emily Roberts – $500
Allentown Elementary
Semmes, AL