2000 FINA/Dallas Morning News All-State Scholar-Athlete Team Selected; Twelve Texas High School Seniors to Receive Scholarships.

Business Editors & Sports Writers

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 28, 2000

Twelve high school seniors who lettered in varsity sports and posted exemplary records of scholastic achievement, leadership and community service have been named to the 2000 FINA / Dallas Morning News All-State Scholar-Athlete Team sponsored by WFAA-TV, Southwest Airlines and The Staubach Company.

The Team members, representing all accredited public and private high schools throughout Texas, were selected by a panel of judges from 44 finalists whose names were announced in January. Some 2,500 varsity athletes from more than 1,000 Texas high schools, all ranking in the top 10 percent of their classes and with grade averages of 90 or better, submitted applications.

Each of the 12 Team members receives a $4,000 scholarship. In June, they will be honored, along with their parents and school representative, at a banquet in Dallas. At that time, the Honorary Team captain will be named and presented the Tom Landry Award For Outstanding Achievement.

    Members of the 2000 All-State Scholar-Athlete Team are:

 Team Member          High School                        Hometown
 -----------          -----------                        --------
 Laura Crenwelge      Fredericksburg High School         Harper
 Drew DeWalt          Reicher Catholic High School       Waco
 Pamela Gerik         West High School                   West
 Rea Harrison         Clear Brook High School            Friendswood
 Amanda Henkes        L.D. Bell High School              Hurst
 Keleigh Karl         Industrial High School             Victoria
 Lauren LaRue         Memorial High School               Houston
 Myda Luu             Irving High School                 Irving
 Jesus Salinas, Jr.   Edinburg High School               Edinburg
 Joy Sparrowhawk      Texas City High School             Texas City
 Dimitri Thomas       Academy of Science & Technology -  The Woodlands
                      Oak Ridge High School
 Adam Williams        Killeen High School                Killeen

The judges' selections were based on academic achievement, and participation and leadership in school and community activities. Athletic ability was not a criterion for selection. Each of the 32 finalists not named to the Team will receive a $500 scholarship.

The All-State Scholar-Athlete Team scholarship program was begun by FINA in 1985 to highlight the accomplishments of the large number of high school athletes who excel in the classroom, while also providing leadership and service to their schools and communities. In 1991, The Dallas Morning News joined FINA as program title sponsor. Southwest Airlines and The Staubach Company became sponsors in 1993. The program welcomed WFAA-TV as a sponsor in 1996.

"The magnificent records of the young men and women named to this Team make us very proud," said Ron W. Haddock, President and Chief Executive Officer of FINA. "The finalists and Team members represent thousands of accomplished teenagers who not only work hard in school, but make meaningful contributions that benefit entire communities and set superb examples for their peers. By spotlighting their great accomplishments, we hope to encourage other youngsters to emulate them."

"We salute FINA's continuing vision and commitment to this extraordinary program; and it goes without saying we are deeply honored to participate." said Robert W. Mong, Jr., President and General Manager of The Dallas Morning News. "The abundant accomplishments of these young people make it clear that our future will be in energetic, caring and capable hands."

Nine of the 12 Team members ranked first in their classes at the time applications were submitted, and two were second. Two are student body presidents; two are class presidents, and all hold other student leadership offices. Five are captains of their high school athletic teams. All are members of the National Honor Society, and all took part in interscholastic competitions. Also, all 12 have been involved in tutoring, mentoring, or anti-drug campaigns.

The scholarship judges were Jan Collmer, President of Collmer Semiconductor; Ka Cotter, President of Staubach Global Services; Matrice Ellis-Kirk, Partner of Heidrick & Struggles; Al Gonzalez, President of AGE Refining and Marketing; Judge Ron Harris. Collin County Judge; Erma Johnson, Vice Chancellor for Administration of the Tarrant County Community College District; Dr. Wright Lassiter, President of El Centro College; Tom Lazo, President of Lazo Technologies, Inc.; Mark "Hawkeye" Louis, KSCS Radio Personality; Valencia McClure, Community Services Manager at WFAA-TV; A.K. Mago, Chairman, Greater Dallas Indo-American Chamber of Commerce; Rena Pedersen, Vice President and Editorial Page Editor for The Dallas Morning News; Erika Sanchez, Advertising Sections Manager for the Dallas Morning News; Libby Sartain, Vice President of the People Department of Southwest Airlines; Joel Sharp, Captain of FINA's 1987 All-State Scholar-Athlete Team and attorney at Jenkens & Gilchrist.

FINA, Inc., through its subsidiaries, engages in crude oil and natural gas exploration and production, and natural gas marketing; petroleum products refining, supply and transportation, and marketing; and chemicals manufacturing and marketing. Organized in 1956, FINA is a division of TOTALFINA S.A., headquartered in Paris, France.

The Dallas Morning News is published by the oldest business institution in the State of Texas, the A.H. Belo Corporation (NYSE:BLC), which was established while Texas was a republic. The newspaper has won six Pulitzer Prizes and numerous other awards for journalistic excellence.

Since the first broadcast in 1949, WFAA-TV has never stopped working to serve the television viewers of Dallas/Fort Worth. For almost a half century Channel 8 has been a trusted and dependable source of news, information, and entertainment, as well as a touchstone for the entire North Texas community. Setting standards and maintaining a commitment to excellence is the hallmark of WFAA. A tradition that works in the spirit of community, the spirit of leadership, and always in the Spirit of Texas.

Southwest Airlines, which began as a small Texas carrier offering service to three cities, has grown since 1971 to become the largest point-to-point airline in the U.S., serving 55 cities in 29 states. Southwest attributes its success to the simplicity of its operations, the distinctiveness of its personality, and the quality of its 29,000 employees.

The Staubach Company specializes in exclusively representing corporations and professional organizations seeking office, industrial, and retail real estate solutions. Services include real estate advisory services, site and facility acquisition, financial services, and design and construction consulting. The company was founded in 1977 by Roger Staubach and is headquarters in Dallas, with offices throughout the country.

Short bios on all Team members attached.

2000 FINA / Dallas Morning News All-State Scholar-Athlete Team

Laura Crenwelge ranks second in her class of 195 students at Fredericksburg High School in Fredericksburg. She is the Student Council corresponding secretary as well as the National Honor Society treasurer. Laura is a National Merit Semi-Finalist and is the state president for the FCCLA (Family, Career and Community Leaders of America). She is the 4-H vice-president and a Hugh O'Brien Youth Ambassador. Laura has placed in U.I.L. events such as Spelling, Vocabulary and Calculator. She has also placed in the Texas State Shootout academic competition and the TX Math and Science Coaches Association competition. She is a San Antonio Express-News All-Regional Scholar, an Optimist Club Student of the Month and she was awarded Best of Show in the school science fair. Laura is a member of the track and softball teams. Her volunteer work includes Hike for Hunger CROP Walk, Trick-or-Treat for Canned Goods and being a nursing home volunteer.

Drew DeWalt ranks first in his class of 54 students at Reicher Catholic High School in Waco. He is Student Council president, historian and a council representative. Drew is a member of the National Honor Society and received first place in the city wide Optimist Club Essay Contest. He also participates in church activities as a lector and Eucharistic minister, and as committee chairman for the church festival. Drew was chosen as a delegate in "Teen Leadership Waco," a yearlong leadership-training program. He is also active in baseball and soccer, and he is co-captain of the football team. His volunteer work includes the Red Cross Blood Drive, Mission Waco, Cariatas, Art Center and Boys Club, as well as numerous tutoring positions.

Pamela Gerik ranks first in her class of 144 students at West High School in West. She is senior class president and Student Council president. Pamela is a member of the National Honor Society, Who's Who, the Key Club, Spanish Club, FCA and is the band captain. She has competed in the U.I.L. Ready Writing contest and has received the Hugh O'Brien Youth leadership award, I Dare You Leadership Award, Xerox Social Sciences Award, Lady Trojan Award and the USTA Sportsman Award for tennis. She is captain of the tennis team, as well as a member of the golf, cross country and volleyball teams. Pam is involved with the Junior Catholic Daughters of America and she has volunteered for various toy and food drives and has helped organize a blood drive at her high school.

Rea Harrison ranks first in her class of 502 students at Clear Brook High School in Friendswood. She is Student Council parliamentarian and senior class president. Rea is a member of the Spanish Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta and the Senior Spirit Club. She is also a member of Who's Who, the NASA Lunar Growth Chamber Team, Wendy's High School Heisman Scholar Athlete nominee and Superintendent Scholar. Her volunteer activities include babysitting at St. Joseph Hospital, and volunteering at the Women and Children Shelter.

Amanda Henkes ranks second in her class of 624 at L.D. Bell High School in Hurst. She serves as the senior representative and committee chairperson of the student congress. Amanda is a member of the National Honor Society, Executive Council, Mid-Cities Optimist Club, FCA, Mu Alpha Theta and Spanish Club. Amanda is the recipient of the President's Award, National Merit Scholar and Educational Excellence Award. She is captain of the cross-country and track teams. Her volunteer activities include Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Hurst Public Library and Poco Mas (bilingual tutoring).

Keleigh Karl ranks first in her class of 77 students at Industrial High School in Vanderbilt. She has been class president for four years and is a member of Who's Who, National Honor Society, band, yearbook, theatre, Spanish Club, Science Club, FCA and FTA. Keleigh has been awarded National Merit Commended Scholar, UT Honors Colloquium, and she has placed first in the Voice of Democracy Speech Contest. In addition, she competed in U.I.L. Number Sense, Math and Literary Criticism competitions. She is also involved in volleyball and is head cheerleader. In addition to being involved in her church youth group, she has been a hospital volunteer and a Jr. League Football volunteer cheer coach.

Lauren LaRue ranks first in her class of 451 students at Memorial High School in Houston. She is a member of the National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, French Honor Society, Quill & Scroll Honor Society and Academic Decathlon. Lauren is the recipient of the Wellesly Book Award, World Geography Outstanding Achievement Award, Mayor's Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service and Prudential Spirit of the Community Award. In addition, Lauren is the co-editor of the school newspaper, and co-president of MMOB (community service organization). Her volunteer activities include State of Texas Youth Action Council, Junior Volunteer Memorial City Hospital, Houston Youth Action and Museum of Natural Science.

Myda Luu ranks first in her class of 413 students at Irving High School in Irving. She is a Student Council representative and senior class secretary. Myda is a member of the National Honor Society, Bio-Society, Latin Club and Spanish Club. She has received the Tiger Pride Award, Be Excellent Award, Dallas Mavericks Improvement Award, Elks Lodge Student of the Month and Who's Who. Myda's academic achievements include awards for outstanding scholarship in Geometry, Algebra, History, Chemistry, English and Science. Myda is also co-captain of the tennis team. Her volunteer activities include S.A.D.D., Holiday Meals and Project Adoption.

Jesus (Bubba) Salinas ranks fifth in his class of 500 at Edinburg High School in Edinburg. He is a Student Council and class representative. He is a member of Who's Who, National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Mock Trial and FCA. He has been a delegate to the American Legion Boy's State, a Texas Scholar and has received the Xerox Award for Humanities and Social Sciences. He has competed in the U.I.L. Calculator, Number Sense and Mathematics competitions. He is captain of the football team and is also involved in track, basketball and baseball. Through his church activities, Jesus has done over 100 hours of community service, and he has been involved with Red Ribbon Week, American Fields Services and Adopt an Angel Project.

Mahdalyn (Joy) Sparrowhawk ranks first in her class of 341 students at Texas City High School in Texas City. She is the National Honor Society and the French Honor Society president. Talitha has received the Superintendent's Academic Achievement Award, Governor Bush's Commendation for Academic Excellence, Rotary Youth Leadership Award and Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizen Award. She is a member of the softball, track and cross-country teams. In addition, Talitha's volunteer activities include American Cancer Society's "Relay for Life," Interact Leadership Day and Student Habit for Humanity.

Dimitri Thomas ranks first in his class of 331 students at Academy of Science & Technology-Oak Ridge High School in Conroe. He is a member of the National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta and Who's Who. Dimitri has received awards such as the Conroe ISD Distinguished Achievement Scholar Award, Outstanding Latin Student Award, Top English, Chemistry, and World & American History Student Awards. He is the captain of the track team and is active in scouting. In addition, he volunteers at a hospital, with Habitat for Humanity and the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Adam Williams ranks first in his class of 696 students at Killeen High School in Killeen. He is Student Council secretary and is a member of Who's Who, National Honor Society, Jr. Engineer Tech Society, Science Club and choir. Adam has been involved with the Hugh O'Brien Youth leadership seminar, the TASC (Texas Association Student Leader Camp) Leadership Camp, the Boy's State Camp and Alliance for Youth. In addition to becoming an Eagle Scout, Adam is on the tennis team and he has volunteered for activities in his church youth group, the Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon, Race for the Cure, March of Dimes, as well as helping renovate homes of needy children and the homeless.