Toyota Awards $1 Million in Scholarships to 100 High School Seniors - Roncalli High's Sperry Named One of Only 12 'National' Winners; Receives $20,000

The Scholars program, now in its 13th year, honors the top 100 students in the U.S. who are proven leaders, both in the classroom and in the communities in which they live and serve. The winners were awarded a combined total of $1 million in college scholarships recently by Toyota Motor Sales,U.S.A., Inc. (TMS). The scholarships are valued at $20,000 (for national winners like Sperry) or $10,000 each, over four years, for study at a four-year college or university starting in the fall of 2009.

Since the Toyota Community Scholars program began in 1997, TMS has awarded over $14 million in scholarships to 1,300 students across the U.S.

The judges who chose the 2009 Toyota Community Scholars' class were impressed with the many volunteer projects in which Sperry has participated, particularly her involvement in South Dakota's State 4-H Council Ambassador (C/A) Program, a youth educational and development program that teaches character building, life and leadership skills.

Sperry's role as State 4-H Secretary includes assisting with planning, organizing and promoting responsibilities. To raise awareness of 4-H's outreach programming, the Statewide Community Service Effort and Committee was established.

As chair of the Community Service project, Sperry also handles publicity, voting duties and theme development for numerous activities.

The program has successfully cleaned more than 36 miles of roads, planted trees, collected 561 pounds of food and raised $1,156 to feed people in need.South Dakota 4-H's have dedicated approximately 18,000 hours of time towards various community projects.

The Scholar has personally invested over 700 hours of service to spreading the 4-H message of "Making the Best Better" through statewide outreach efforts.

Sperry is a perfect example of what the Toyota Community Scholars program is all about.

"In these tough economic times, it is particularly rewarding to see these students having such a tremendous impact in their communities," said Michael Rouse, TMS vice president of philanthropy and community affairs. "They are stellar examples of service and commitment and remind us all what's really important."

About Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

Toyota Motor Sales (TMS),U.S.A., Inc. is the marketing, sales, distribution and customer service arm of Toyota, Lexus and Scion. Established in 1957, TMS markets products and services through a network of more than 1,400 Toyota, Lexus and Scion dealers. Toyota directly employs more than 34,000 people in the U.S. and sold more than 2.2 million vehicles in 2008.

SOURCE Toyota Motor Sales,U.S.A., Inc.

Copyright © 2009, PRNewswire
Copyright © 2009, NewsBlaze, Daily News

Tags: ,AUT,TRN,EDU,CSR,AWD,SD-Toyota-Awards

   _   _