More than $50,000 has been awarded for scholarships for college, technical or trade school by the Alabama Power Foundation for 2007. The $1,250 individual scholarships are awarded to the dependent children of active, retired or deceased Alabama Power Co. employees.

Winners are selected based on academic merit and financial need by an independent organization, Scholarship Program Administrators Inc. The award is renewable for the number of years normally required to complete an undergraduate or technical degree program, provided the honoree makes satisfactory academic progress.

“By awarding these scholarships, we are investing in our state’s most valuable resource – our young people,” said Charles McCrary, Alabama Power president and CEO. “These outstanding students are the leaders of tomorrow, and Alabama Power is proud to assist them as they continue their education and prepare for the future.”

Jill Driver of Chilton County High School in Clanton is the 2007 Presidential Scholar. She receives an award equivalent to four years of tuition and mandatory fees. The Presidential Scholar is presented to a high school senior who is a dependent of an active, retired or deceased Alabama Power employee and who exhibits the most impressive combination of academic achievement, standardized test results, participation in extracurricular and community activities, leadership qualities and financial need.

The Alabama Power Foundation scholarship program was established in 1991, and since its inception has awarded nearly 800 new scholarships and 1,500 renewed scholarships. Combined with the Presidential Scholar Award, the foundation has distributed more than $2.7 million in scholarships since the program’s inception.

The Alabama Power Foundation works to improve the quality of life of Alabamians and strengthen the communities in which they live. Since 1990, the foundation has provided more than $90 million in grants to worthy projects across Alabama. Details about the foundation are available at www.alabamapowerfoundation.com.

Alabama Power, a subsidiary of Atlanta-based Southern Company (NYSE: SO), provides reliable, affordable electricity to more than 1.4 million customers across the state. Learn more about Alabama Power at www.alabamapower.com.