Media Advisory For Immediate Release Thursday, May 22, 2008	Media Contact: Mike Liberty Academic Year in America River Plaza, 9 West Broad St. Stamford, CT 06902-3788 (203) 399-5187 mliberty@aifs.com www.academicyear.org

MEDIA ADVISORY

WHAT:
Tony Cook Memorial Grant Ceremony
The American Institute For Foreign Study (AIFS) Foundation will host a short ceremony to recognize three of the winners of the prestigious Tony Cook Memorial Grant for the 2008/2009 school year. Stamford High School, Westhill High School and the Academy of Information Technology and Engineering will receive the award of $1,000 for illustrating a commitment to international exchange through hosting foreign students and developing projects, programs and/or events that teach students about the global economy. The AIFS Foundation awards 20 schools throughout the country with this grant.

WHEN: 
Thursday, May 29, 2008
5:30 p.m.

WHO: 
Melanie French, Executive Director, AIFS Foundation and Director, Academic Year in America (AYA)
Bryan Olkowski, Chinese Exchange Director, Stamford Public Schools; Teacher, Westhill High School
Dr. Joshua P.Starr, Superintendent, Stamford Public Schools
Dr. Winifred Hamilton, Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Education, Stamford Public Schools
Veronica Turrien, Regional Director, Academic Year in America
Claire Souffrant, Local Coordinator (Stamford), Academic Year in America
Many others from the Stamford Public School system.
Selected host families and students. 

WHERE: 
Board Room (5th floor)
Government Center
888 Washington Blvd.
Stamford, CT 06901

Please RSVP to Mike Liberty at mliberty@aifs.org

About the AIFS Foundation:
The American Institute For Foreign Study (AIFS) Foundation is a not-for-profit organization founded in 1967 with the assistance of the late Senator Robert F. Kennedy. Its mission is to promote worldwide understanding though cultural exchange. The Foundation also provides scholarships that enable young Americans to study and travel abroad.

About Tony Cook:
For almost 30 years, Tony Cook served his country as a career officer in the U.S. Information Agency. He was a graduate of Georgetown University and Georgetown Law School, and he dedicated his life to the ideals of fostering international understanding. Cook was a life-long member of the American Institute For Foreign Study (AIFS) Foundation's Board of Trustees, and after retirement from the U.S. Information Agency, served as Director of the Foundation. Following his death in 1990, he was buried in Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors.