Gov. Cecil H. Underwood and West Virginia University President David C. Hardesty Jr. will announce the winners of WVUs top scholarship at a news conference at 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 10, in the Governors Reception Room at the State Capitol. We invite your coverage.

At the conference, five of the states top high school seniors will become Foundation Scholars, an award reserved exclusively for West Virginians. The Scholars Program award valued at more than $42,000 pays for four years of educational and living expenses, plus additional funds for study abroad, internships or other educational experiences. It is supported by the WVU Foundation.

In addition, Gov. Underwood, President Hardesty and James McCartney, trustee of the Alumni Associations Loyalty Permanent Endowment Fund Full Scholarship, will announce the recipients of that award. This scholarship also provides for four years of academic and living expenses for a top West Virginia student.

* FOR TV STATIONS :* WVU Television Productions will provide taped copies of press conference highlights to stations that cannot attend. Call Jacob Young at 304-293-7171 with questions or to request a copy of the tape.

The scholarship winners will be chosen from the following 12 finalists who were recently offered Neil S. Bucklew Scholarships to attend WVU :

Natalie Paige Allen, Logan, Logan County

Rachel Ayne Armentrout, Keyser, Mineral County

Jeffrey David Burch, Huntington, Cabell County

Crystal Rachelle Canterbury, South Charleston, Kanawha County

Kathryn Anne Clay, Keyser, Mineral County

Andrew Scott Estel, Morgantown, Monongalia County

Lindsay Anne Kruska, Charleston, Kanawha County

Kenneth Michael”Kenny”Marn, Sistersville, Tyler County

Michael Paul Oliverio, Bridgeport, Harrison County

Adrian Brady Slider, Paden City, Wetzel County

Gabriel Sean”Gabe”Tapia, Morgantown, Monongalia County

Aaron Montgomery Vickers, Hurricane, Putnam County