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Samsung, Microsoft and Teen Music Sensations Aly & AJ Award $2 Million Worth of Technology and Software to Schools Through Samsung's Hope for Education ProgramLOUISIANA --(Business Wire)-- Samsung's Hope for Education and Microsoft Corporation, along with teen music sensations Aly & AJ, will present Woodlake Elementary School in Mandeville, La., $200,000 in technology products and software at a special assembly for students, teachers and local dignitaries. Woodlake Elementary School which was and still is affected from Hurricane Katrina in 2005 is this year's grand prize winner in Samsung's Hope for Education fourth annual essay contest. Essays were submitted by more than 8,200 schools through students, parents, teachers and principals who wanted to give their community schools a chance to benefit from this unique program. In addition to Woodlake Elementary School, 30 first-prize winners were selected and will receive $60,000 in technology products and software for their school. The technology prizes include Samsung's latest, award-winning products, such as Plasma and LCD high definition televisions; Ultra Mobile PCs; multi-function products; Smart Phones; digital camcorders; DVD players, LCD computer monitors, color printers and Microsoft's latest, award-winning software, such as Microsoft Student, Encarta, Office, etc. Those who submitted a winning entry on behalf of a winning school will be awarded a Samsung Ultra Mobile PC with Windows Vista. (For a complete list of winners, please see below.) "We are honored and grateful to be selected as the winning school in the Samsung's Hope for Education essay contest," said Woodlake Elementary principal Dr. Jean Kreiger. "The technology and software being donated by Samsung's Hope for Education and Microsoft will provide the teachers of Woodlake Elementary with the most up-to-date education tools which will enhance the learning of our students." In addition to the product and technology being donated to Woodlake, a classroom assistant dog will be given to the special education classroom at Woodlake Elementary. Samsung North America introduced the successful "Friends for Life" program created in Korea to provide financial support for the training of special service animals to assist kids and others who through the use of a dedicated service dog can lead a better life. "With programs like Hope for Education, Samsung and Microsoft have the opportunity to provide the technology and software that not all schools are able to afford," said D.J. Oh, president and CEO, Samsung Electronics America. "With the addition of the classroom assistant dog from "Friends for Life," we are not only helping students better their education in the classroom, but their quality of life as they go about their school day." "Microsoft is proud to be a part of Samsung's Hope for Education program - recognizing deserving schools and creating opportunities through technology and software for their students," said Anthony Salcito, general manager of U.S. Education at Microsoft. "The tools we are providing these winning schools will enable students to remain competitive with the rest of the world and further their education while helping bridge the global technology gap." Furthering education and reading is an important initiative for sister actresses and singer-songwriters Aly & AJ. Through Samsung's partnership with their label Hollywood Records, the teen sensations helped launch the 2007 Samsung Hope for Education program this Spring in New York City with a special performance and will be entertaining more than 600 students at Woodlake during their special event. "We are very proud to be a part of Samsung's Hope for Education program because it provides schools with the tools they need to foster growth and education in students," said Aly. "Receiving the best education possible has been very important to us, and we applaud Samsung and Microsoft for coming together for the betterment of schools and youth," added AJ. The Hope for Education contest was first announced in 2004 at the opening of the Samsung Experience, a unique and creative technology emporium in the Time Warner Center in New York City. Since the original launch, more than 250 U.S. schools have benefited from over $7 million in Samsung technology and Microsoft software. About Samsung Electronics America, Inc. Headquartered in Ridgefield Park, NJ, Samsung Electronics America, Inc. (SEA), a wholly owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., markets a broad range of award-winning, advanced digital consumer electronics, information systems and home appliance products. The SEA organization oversees the North American operations of Samsung including Samsung Telecommunications America, LP, Samsung Electronics Canada, Inc. and Samsung Electronics Mexico, Inc. Please visit www.samsung.com for more information. About Samsung Electronics Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in semiconductor, telecommunication, digital media and digital convergence technologies with 2005 parent company sales of US$56.7 billion and net income of US$7.5 billion. Employing approximately 128,000 people in over 90 offices in 51 countries, the company consists of five main business units: Digital Appliance Business, Digital Media Business, LCD Business, Semiconductor Business and Telecommunication Network Business. Recognized as one of the fastest growing global brands, Samsung Electronics is a leading producer of digital TVs, memory chips, mobile phones, and TFT-LCDs. For more information, please visit www.samsung.com About Microsoft Founded in 1975 and Headquartered in Redmond, Washington, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software; services and solutions that help people, institutions, and businesses realize their full potential. Specifically, in education Microsoft is working closely with worldwide education communities, and has developed technology, tools, programs, and solutions to help address education challenges while improving teaching and learning opportunities. About Aly & AJ There's no limit to what sisters Aly and AJ Michalka can do. They are actresses, singer-songwriters who play their own instruments, astute business women with multiple product lines, and philanthropists as well. Their debut album "Into The Rush" sold over a million copies. Their Christmas CD, "Acoustic Hearts of Christmas" was one of the top-selling CDs of the season. Their "Insomniatic" album opened to massive critical acclaim. Aly and AJ have released songs for many different films including hits such as "No One" that was featured in the motion picture Ice Princess; a rockin' cover of The Lovin' Spoonful's "Do You Believe in Magic;" and a cover of Katrina and the Waves' "Walking on Sunshine" that was featured in the major motion picture Herbie: Fully Loaded. Aly & AJ recently starred in the new MTV movie, "Super Sweet 16," which debuted this past summer. Both girls are filming movies for the big screen. Aly is set to star in "Will" and AJ is featured in the Peter Jackson directed "The Lovely Bones." In addition, Aly & AJ completed a sold out US headline tour. About Hollywood Records The Disney Music Group encompasses all of the Walt Disney Studio's recorded music and music publishing operations, including Hollywood Records, Walt Disney Records, Lyric Street Records and Walt Disney Music Publishing. Artists include Aly & AJ, Raven Simone, Vanessa Hudgens, Jonas Brothers and more. For more information, please visit www.hollywoodrecords.com 2007 Samsung's Hope For Education First Prize Winners Bonne Ecole Elementary School Slidell, La. Cisco Junior High School Cisco, Texas Ramer Elementary School Ramer, Tenn. Roosevelt High School San Antonio, Texas Brentsville District High School Nokesville, Va. Cox's Creek Elementary School Cox's Creek, Ky. Piedmont Middle School Monroe, N.C. Emma C. Attales Middle School Absecon, N.J. Memorial High School St. Mary's, Ohio Lakeland High School Shrub Oak, N.Y. Woodbine Elementary School Woodbine, Ga. Wessendorff Middle School Rosenberg, Texas Avonworth Elementary School Pittsburgh, Pa. Indian Creek High School Wintersville, Ohio Mansfield Middle School Mansfield, La. Grantsburg High School Grantsburg, Wis. Discovery Elementary School Brigham City, Utah Deane Bozeman High School Panama City, Fla. South Pekin Elementary School South Pekin, Ill. Cucamongo Middle School Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. Inkster High School Inkster, Mich. Hattiesburg High School Hattiesburg, Miss. Liberty High School Liberty, Texas Hendersonville Elementary School Walterboro, S.C. Tazewell Elementary School Tazewell, Va. Mt. Vernon High School Mt. Vernon, Texas Wylie E. Groves School Beverly Hills, Mich. Glenn Stephens School Madison, Wis. Salem Lutheran School Orange, Calif. Magnolia School Orlando, Fla. |
