Chicago Public School Students Win Nextel's Ernie Banks Let's Play Two Essay Contest Honoring Local Teachers; Grand Slam and Home Run Winners Receive Batting Practice and Coaching from Cubs Hall of Famer.

CHICAGO -- Today, Nextel Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ:NXTL) and the Chicago Public Schools, joined the Chicago Cubs in announcing sixth-grader Eric Bonner of William W. Carter Elementary School as the Grand Slam winner of the Ernie Banks Let's Play Two(R) essay contest, along with four Home Run winners.

Approximately 8,000 fourth, fifth and sixth grade students from 102 Chicago Public Schools submitted a one-page essay on the teacher who most inspired them and made a difference in their lives. A selection committee consisting of representatives from the Chicago Public Schools, Nextel Communications, the Chicago Cubs, and Liz and Ernie Banks judged the essays.

Eric wrote about his former third grade teacher, Mr. Muhammed Giwamorye, a South African native. Mr. Giwamorye helped Eric to improve his attitude and to value an education. "There is no better Grand Slam teacher than Mr. G. because he motivates students the way he motivated himself to become the fine teacher that he is," wrote Eric.

The four Home Run winners are:

Paris Brown, Francis Scott Key Elementary School, fourth grade. Paris wrote about her first grade teacher, Mrs. Lorissa Ellis, who gave Paris the confidence to read and write her own stories.

Braiana Edwards, Louis D. Armstrong Elementary School, fifth grade. Braiana wrote about her current teacher, Ms. Helen McClain, who taught Braiana to become a better student and to resolve conflicts peacefully.

Maria Pina, Columbia Explorers Academy, sixth grade. Maria wrote about her current teacher, Mrs. Priya Shah, who taught Maria how to make the right decisions in a challenging environment and to do good for others and the community.

Tiffany Tran, Edgebrook School, sixth grade. Tiffany wrote about her third grade teacher, Mrs. Camille Vena, who inspired Tiffany to respect the differences in others and to be optimistic even in difficult circumstances.

"I am honored to reward these students and the teachers that help make them better people," said Ernie Banks. "Every day, teachers across the country instill in students the joy of learning and show them how to become better citizens."

As their prize, winning students and teachers will receive batting practice and coaching lessons at Wrigley Field from Baseball Hall of Famer and former Cub, Ernie Banks on Wednesday, June 29. They will also receive two VIP tickets to the Cubs game. As the "Grand Slam" winner, Eric will have the opportunity to throw out the first pitch prior to the game. His school, William W. Carter Elementary School, will receive $5,000 to purchase books.

"It's great to see that our students appreciate their teachers. Teachers are among the most important adults in the lives of our kids. They give guidance, support and even friendship," said Chicago Public Schools Chief Executive Officer Arne Duncan. "The excellent writing skills of these winners reflect the impact of their teaching. We can see from these essays that many teachers go way beyond what's required. They teach our students to be motivated for life, to resolve conflicts in a healthy way, to take responsibility for themselves and their communities and to be good citizens in the broadest sense. You can't put a value on that."

The entries were graded on several factors:

--Clarity with which the paper presented and maintained a point of view.

--Clarity of the logical flow of ideas and the coherence and cohesion of the text structure.

--Degree to which the main position was supported and explained by specific details and reasons.

--Correct use of standard written English.

"Nextel is delighted to participate in a contest honoring these youth and recognizing the teachers that gave them the tools to be successful," commented Kevin Flynn, vice president of sales for Nextel. "These essays make clear the vital role that teachers play in the lives of our children."

To view the winning essays in their entirety, contact Arianne Venuso at [phone].

About Nextel

Nextel Communications, a FORTUNE 200 company based in Reston, Va., is a leading provider of fully integrated wireless communications services and has built the largest guaranteed all-digital wireless network in the country covering thousands of communities across the United States. Today 95 percent of FORTUNE 500(R) companies are Nextel customers. Nextel and Nextel Partners, Inc. currently serve 297 of the top 300 U.S. markets where approximately 263 million people live or work.

About CPS

The Chicago Public Schools is the third-largest school system in the U.S. and second-largest employer in Illinois, with 45,000 employees. It has 600 elementary and high schools and more than 431,000 students.