Verizon International Foundation Awards Scholarships to 10 More Students at the University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - For the fifth consecutive year, the Verizon International Foundation has presented $5,000

scholarships to 10 first-year students enrolled in the Computer Engineering program at the University of Puerto Rico at

Mayaguez. The latest awards bring to 50 the number of students who are receiving scholarships during the 2005-2006 academic

year.

The scholarships, which total $250,000, are presented in conjunction with Puerto Rico Telephone Company (PRT). Overall, the

Verizon International Foundation's scholarship program will result in a $1.2 million commitment to encourage the next

generation of professionals to enter computer engineering, a field crucial to the island's economic development.

"We're proud to invest in the future of these talented students because we realize that it's an investment in the future

of Puerto Rico," said Dan Petri, president, Verizon International.

PRT President and CEO Cristina Lambert said: "Supporting these students ensures that Puerto Rico will have a talent base

that can create opportunities for economic development in the areas of technology and telecommunications in the years to

come. We congratulate this year's scholars, and we're confident they will continue to make us proud."

Together with financial aid, the scholarships help cover all expenses including registration, housing, transportation and

books.

This year's new recipients are: Christine Cortés-Hernández, Ashley Rivera-Sánchez, Leilany Ramos-León, Nayma Nieves-Mercado,

Jessica Pérez-Torres, Alberto Guzmán-Burgos, Abdiel Ferrao-Rodríguez, José Rodríguez-León, Rodolfo Ojeda-Figueroa and Javier

Espinosa-Beltrán.

Verizon holds a 52-percent interest in Puerto Rico Telephone Company, Puerto Rico's largest provider of communications

services. The Verizon International Foundation Scholarship program began in 2001.

To qualify for the Verizon International Foundation scholarship program applicants must have a minimum of a 3.0 grade point

average, demonstrate financial need, have been born in Puerto Rico, have graduated from a high school in Puerto Rico and be

enrolled in the university's computer engineering program.

The Verizon International Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Verizon International, supports a variety of initiatives that

provide educational and economic opportunities rooted in the development of literacy, job and technology skills. The Verizon

International Foundation is committed to improving the lives of those in communities where Verizon and its affiliates provide

services. For more information, visit www.verizon.com/foundation.

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