Two outstanding seniors receive scholarships for their involvement in school and community and for exemplary use of GIS technology.

Intergraph Mapping and GIS Solutions has awarded two scholarships to high school seniors for their exemplary work in the Environmental and Spatial Technology (EAST) initiative and for their overall contributions to fellow students and the community. Aaron Biggs of Baldwin High School in Wailuku, Hawaii, and Kayla Blevins of Omaha High School in Omaha, Arkansas, received their scholarships from Intergraph representatives at the Third Annual EAST Partnership Conference in Little Rock, Arkansas, February 19, 2002.

Intergraph is a key sponsor of the EAST initiative, helping establish the program in 1995 and developing the first academic partnership model to integrate mapping and GIS technology in the classroom. The program has grown to 150 schools in seven states and involves more than 15,000 students. Participants have access to a dynamic technology-based learning environment that helps them make the transition from high school to higher education or business. Students receive hands-on experience and develop a range of projects using GIS technology such as Intergraph's GeoMedia products. "Aaron and Kayla's contributions are a testament to the success of the EAST program," said Susan Nolen, executive manager for Intergraph Mapping and GIS Solutions' Program for Schools. "We support this program because it enables students to develop high-tech skills, build a knowledgebase of current technologies, and acquire an appreciation of the geosciences as they're applied in real-life projects. These scholarships are intended to inspire students to apply their technology skills learned in high school and excel in college and beyond as our future industry leaders." Chosen by the EAST Initiative Scholarship Committee, winners were selected from more than 40 applications accompanied by written recommendations from EAST facilitators. Scholarship applicants met the following requirements: 1) current EAST student and enrolled in EAST for at least one year, 2) an outstanding senior who has contributed to the local EAST lab and broader EAST community, and 3) planning to enroll in a 2- or 4-year college program for the year 2002.