Hoar Construction and GMAC Bowl Help Promote Reading and Writing

(MOBILE, Ala.) – The ninth annual HOAR Construction/GMAC Bowl Reading and Writing Program Awards Ceremony was held at the Mobile Civic Center on Tuesday, December 1, 2009 at 9:30 am. The program began on Monday, August 31 2009, and ended Friday, October 30, 2009.

The nine-week contest was 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 entered the contest were required to read a book and submit a written book report in 250 words or less. A panel of judges selected 10 finalists, who competed for first place.

Over 2000 fourth grade students were invited and attended this year’s 10 finalists for the awards ceremony which included the Blue Angels Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, Oregon’s 2008 Junior Miss and the LeFlore High School Chorus. “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 were awarded to the 10 finalists in amounts ranging from $10,000 to $500:

$500
Angel Peterson (Adams Middle Elementary School)
Eva Andrea Hill (Castlen Elementary School)
Carlissa Arrow (Hall-Kent Elementary School)
Jin Lee (Columbia Elementary School)

$1000
Jerrica Oglesby (Saint Elmo Elementary School)
Elizabeth Cravey (Andalusia Elementary School)
Shikira Parker (Wolfe Elementary School)

$1500
Zicky Hart (Dauphin Island Elementary School)

$3000
Megan Galbreath (Cape Elementary)

$10,000
Rupa Palanki (Council Traditional School)

In addition, the 10 winners are also invited to attend the events taking place during GMAC Bowl Week, including the FCA Breakfast, the GMAC Financial Services Mayor’s Luncheon, and the GMAC Bowl game.

Over the past eight years, the Hoar Construction/GMAC Bowl Reading and Writing Program has donated over $195,000 in savings bonds to students in the fifth grade.

The GMAC Bowl will be played on January 6, 2010, 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.