TNMP SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE AT AREA LOCAL HIGH SCHOOLS

FORT WORTH, Texas — Feb. 8, 2005 — Local high schools now have Texas-New Mexico Power Company scholarship applications available for high school seniors who are continuing their education in two- and four-year colleges. The scholarship program is part of the company’s efforts to reward customers in its service area.

"We’re happy to assist these students as they begin their college careers because we recognize they are the leaders of tomorrow," said Mary Parra, TNMP public information coordinator. "The students who are awarded scholarships from TNMP have always proven themselves to be dedicated and self-disciplined. We anticipate that they will go on to promising futures."

Applications must be postmarked no later than April 1, 2005. A committee of TNMP employees and community representatives will select award recipients based on the following criteria:

• Community service activities

• Academic excellence

• A statement regarding why education is important to the student.

The one-time awards are made in increments of $1,000, $500 and $250, and the scholarships will be paid in full in the year they are awarded.

The Education Fulfillment Program offers publications to schools in the TNMP service area. The challenging, up-to-date materials correlate well with standard classroom curriculum while strengthening students’ understanding of electricity, energy usage and electric safety.

Hometown Challenge lets TNMP match dollars that community groups raise for projects that have a broad level of grassroots support. When a project nominated by an employee or customer is approved for this type of funding, community groups are responsible for raising half of the funding, up to $5,000. TNMP then matches the money the groups raise.

The company’s Mini-Grant Program supports K-8 classroom teachers in the areas of math, science and energy conservation. This program provides grants up to $200 to assist teachers with their classroom activities.