Alltel Wireless and Dr. Maya Angelou celebrate Black History Month with fifth annual “Words of Wisdom” essay contest

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Alltel Wireless and world renowned poet Dr. Maya Angelou are celebrating Black History Month with the fifth annual “Words of Wisdom” essay contest.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Students at participating Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) nationwide are encouraged to submit their responses on the following topic: “The foundation has been laid. And as a people, we’ve shown what we can do when called upon for change. How are you being called to build upon this new spirit of change?”

“In recent months, students across the country have seen first hand the power they possess when it comes to evoking change,” said Regina Woziwodzki, director of multicultural marketing for Alltel Wireless. “We hope that this year’s contest encourages students nationwide to think deeply about positive change on a more local level, and how it will hopefully benefit their friends, family and communities for years to come.”

To commemorate the fifth year of the program, Alltel doubled the scholarship amounts awarded. Ten grand prize winners will each receive a $10,000 scholarship to a participating HBCU institution of their choice as well as a trip to Little Rock, Ark., to meet Dr. Maya Angelou and enjoy a private concert with R&B sensation Musiq Soulchild. While in Little Rock, students and their guests will also enjoy tours of local landmarks, including the Mosiac Templars Cultural Center, William J. Clinton Presidential Center and Little Rock Central High School.

“I have always been inspired by the words of the young people of our nation, and I encourage all HBCU students to participate in Alltel’s essay contest so their words may be heard and cherished,” said Dr. Angelou. “Working with Alltel for the past four years allowed me to meet some of our country’s brightest young scholars and I commend Alltel for its continued commitment to students.”

Essay submission forms and contest rules are available online at www.alltel.com/wordsofwisdom. Entries must be post-marked by February 14, 2009, and winners will be presented with their awards on March 12, 2009. Graduating high school seniors who will be attending HBCU institutions are also eligible to participate.

For more information about Alltel, please visit www.alltel.com.

About Dr. Maya Angelou
An internationally respected poet, writer, civil rights activist and educator, Dr. Angelou has authored best-selling titles such as “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” “Gather Together in My Name,” “The Heart of a Woman” and the collection of poems “Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water ‘Fore I Diie,” which was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize. Her most recent work “Letter to My Daughter” reveals Dr. Angelou’s path to living well and living a life with meaning. The first black female director in Hollywood, Dr. Angelou has written, produced, directed and starred in productions for stage, film and television

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