OWEGO, NY, 29-JUN-00 -- As a part of its continuing efforts to improve K-12 education, Lockheed Martin Owego in conjunction with the Tioga County Coalition for Better Schools recently awarded 12 Tioga County graduating seniors $6,000 in educational scholarships. A majority of new jobs are being generated in high technology businesses and employers increasingly need workers who can learn new skills rapidly, work in teams, and solve problems creatively. Lockheed Martin Owego is doing its part to help area youths develop marketable skills through effective education. The company sponsors the Tioga County Coalition for Better Schools, representing the six Tioga County School Districts. Its mission is to inspire student interest in math and science education. Since the Coalition's inception nearly 100,000 K-12 students have participated in Lockheed Martin sponsored programs.

If we hope to continue economic growth, explore space, provide for our defense, or address any of the problems we find in the modern world, we need a highly educated, technology minded work force. said Frank Meyer, president of Lockheed Martin Owego. We're pleased to be able to reward these students who have worked so hard to improve their math and science skills.

The Lockheed Martin Owego scholarship recipients were selected by their individual school districts and each received $500 to be used toward their college education. The scholarships were awarded to students who demonstrated the most improvement in math and students who demonstrated the most improvement in science through sound study skills, hard work and personal commitment.

Scholarship Recipients:

Candor High School
Math: Gregory A. Winnik
Science: William R. VanDuzer

Newark Valley High School
Math: Austin Vaughn
Science: Melissa Cole

Owego Free Academy High School
Math: Elizabeth Orzel
Science: Jocelyn Edwards

Spencer-Van Etten High School
Math: Daniel Roorda
Science: Jonathan Lagasse

Tioga High School
Math: Jeff Welgan
Science: Rachel Evans

Waverly High School
Math: Steve Fabregas
Science: Daniel Marino