Winners at Top of Class in Both Academics and Community Service

Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., (TMS) rewarded 100 high school seniors with $1.12 million in college scholarships for their commitment to education and community service at an awards banquet tonight.

The winners, who make up the 11th class of Toyota Community Scholars, were chosen from a pool of more than 8,000 students nationwide nominated by their schools. To be eligible, students must be proven leaders both in the classroom and in their communities.

Based on the countless service projects conducted by the 2007 class, it is clear these 100 students view community service not as an obligation, but a way of life. As one Scholar, Brian Fontenot of Baytown, Texas, put it: "I have found that the influence volunteering has had on me is not one big factor, but many small details merged together, shaping who I am, how much I understand about life and teaching me compassion toward others."

For the 2007 class, their dreams of making a difference became reality through programs ranging from raising $25,000 toward the fight against muscular dystrophy to the promotion of hydrogen fuel cells as an alternative to gas-fueled engines to combating hunger through the growing of over 111,000 pounds of fresh vegetables that were then donated to local food pantries.

"What these 100 high school seniors have accomplished in regard to community service and academics at such a young age is truly amazing," said Michael Rouse, TMS corporate manager of philanthropy and community affairs. "Their commitment to helping those in need is inspiring. The future holds no limits; we are convinced they will have a very positive impact on the world around them."

The scholarships are valued at $20,000 or $10,000 each, over four years, for study at a four-year college or university starting in the fall of 2007. Since the Toyota Community Scholars program began in 1997, TMS has awarded over $12 million in scholarships to 1,100 students across the U.S.

Cristina Costantini, a Toyota Community Scholar from Milwaukee, Wis., is a prime example of the dedication to community service exhibited by this year's class. As the founder of "Bikes for Sierra Leone," Costantini oversaw a volunteer network that collected and refurbished over 300 bicycles for school- age children and teachers of this impoverished, war-ravaged country in Africa. (Because many students and teachers live three to seven miles from the nearest school, transportation is a significant barrier to education in Sierra Leone.)

Costantini organized a drive to collect bikes, school supplies and medical supplies -- plus raised the $8,800 it took to ship the items to Sierra Leone. In addition to the bikes, 70 computers and crates of supplies were donated.

Consequently, Costantini, like many of the Scholars, found community service to be the roadmap to what she wants to do in the future. "I am considering a career in the field of Foreign Service, and I hope someday to be involved in humanitarian projects on a larger scale."

The Toyota Community Scholars program is administered by Educational Testing Services in Princeton, N.J. The 12 national winners ($20,000 each) and 88 regional winners ($10,000 each) were selected by a panel of college and university admissions officials from across the U.S.

The scholarship winners were guests of honor tonight at an awards banquet in Louisville that was attended by education, community, business and government leaders. Rory Kennedy, an award-winning documentary filmmaker, was the keynote speaker.

The two-and-a-half-day program included a tour of Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky, Inc., in Georgetown, which builds the Camry, Camry hybrid, Avalon and Solara vehicles. In addition, the Scholars cruised the Ohio River on the Belle of Louisville (a historic paddle wheeler), and participated in a "ride and drive" that put them behind the wheel of four Toyota vehicles: FJ Cruiser, Yaris, RAV4 and Camry.

Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc. is the marketing, sales, distribution and customer service arm of Toyota, Lexus and Scion in the United States, marketing products and services through a network of 1,427 Toyota, Lexus and Scion dealers in 49 states. Established in 1957, TMS and its subsidiaries also are involved in distribution logistics, motorsports, and research and development.





2007 TOYOTA COMMUNITY SCHOLARS
Community Service Snapshots


Following is a small sampling of community service projects performed by the 2007 class of Toyota Community Scholars (more detail can be provided upon request; student interviews can also be arranged).

-- Organized the Swim-a-thon for Muscular Dystrophy, which has raised more than $25,000 in five years for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. This Scholar has been involved with MDA since he was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy more than 10 years ago. An avid swimmer, he created the Swim-a-thon for Muscular Dystrophy in 1999 with his local swim and dive team to raise funds for MDA and awareness among his community about the plight of those affected by Muscular Dystrophy. (Christopher Cassidy, Annandale, Va.)

-- Started Teen Trendsetters, a program that involves more than 65 students from his high school who dedicate two-and-a-half hours of community service weekly. The high school students serve as mentors to students at two local elementary schools. Members of Trendsetters have organized field trips, dances and festivals for the elementary school students they mentor. (Quintin Haynes, Rockledge, Fla.)

-- Founded Kids 4 Hydrogen, a non-profit organization that works to educate students and adults about why hydrogen should become America's energy choice of the future. She has given speeches and presentations in California and beyond about Kids 4 Hydrogen and the importance of alternative fuels. Arranged a meeting of the top 20 energy experts in California at her school. Her research convinced her that hydrogen fuel cells were a safe, reliable and feasible alternative to gas-fueled engines. (Jaclyn D'Arcy, Soquel, Calif.)

-- After watching his mother battle cancer and hearing her account of the time she received her first free wig during chemotherapy treatments, this Scholar was inspired to help the San Jacinto Methodist Hospital Cancer Center with their growing need for new or gently used wigs and head coverings. That is when he founded HEADing for a Cure, which collects wigs and head coverings for women battling cancer who lost their hair during chemotherapy. Before HEADing for a Cure, the Center had only five usable wigs. Today, it has over 75 wigs and permanent donation sites throughout the community have been established to continue expanding its inventory. (Brian Fontenot, Baytown, Texas)

-- Seeing a need in their community, this Scholar and her sister co-founded Gardening for Families, a project that raises fresh vegetables for food pantries and disadvantaged families. Since 2001, more than 111,000 pounds of fresh vegetables have been raised and donated by Gardening for Families. She also established Project Growing Together, which provides free garden plants and growing instructions to families in need to help them reduce food shortages. (Kristi Williams, St. Joseph, Mo.)

Source: Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.