AT&T and DoSomething.org Recognize Local, Young Activist for Outstanding Community Service

SAN JOSE, Calif., July 20, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- AT&T and DoSomething.org today announced Jennifer Allison Tran of San Jose is the grand-prize winner of a recent nationwide scholarship contest, created to recognize and reward hardworking, young people and help them pay for college. Tran, a Touro University California medical student, was selected as the top winner for her compelling work supporting music therapy programs at UC Davis Children's Hospital and advocating for these programs in children's hospitals across California.

For many youth, finding the funds to pay for college can be a daunting task – especially in these difficult economic times. AT&T understands and hopes by providing young people with opportunities, such as this scholarship contest, it can help them reduce their financial burdens, freeing them to focus on their studies and goodwill efforts.

Using the online application, students quickly and easily showcased their volunteer efforts and contributions in their communities. Tran's winning entry detailed her not-for-profit cause, Red Balloon, which began in 2006 by providing educational scholarships for children in Cambodia, Vietnam and Ethiopia. In 2008, Tran shifted the mission of Red Balloon to solely focus on music therapy for children, having personally witnessed its positive impact while volunteering at UC Davis Children's Hospital. For the last five years, Tran has hosted an annual benefit to raise funds – more than $12,000 – and awareness for music therapy supporting programs across California hospitals.

Tran's winning video submission illustrating her passion for Red Balloon can be viewed here: Red Balloon Video Submission

"We are actively engaged with our young customers via our social media channels and they have asked for opportunities to be recognized for their hard work and rewarded with money to use for their education," said Jennifer Fisher, director of digital and youth marketing, AT&T Mobility & Consumer Markets.  "By teaming up with a popular youth scholarship organization, DoSomething.org, we are doing just that – giving young people an online platform to tell their personal stories, share the ways in which they're making a difference in their communities and ultimately be rewarded with scholarship money."

In just over one month, AT&T's online contest generated nearly 1,000 applications through written and video submissions, plus more than 81,000 page views on www.DoSomething.org/ATT. Tran's scholarship will support her medical school tuition and is one of 26 scholarships rewarded – totaling $35,000 – recognizing the commitment of young community leaders. The scholarship proceeds will directly benefit the higher education of all winners.

All winners were selected based on the following criteria:

• Overcoming significant adversity
• Strength of inspirational story focused on dedication to a specific cause
• Creativity
• Evidence of tangible results
• Clear basis of longevity

"My ultimate goal for Red Balloon is to raise awareness around the positive effects of music therapy programs for children with acute and chronic illnesses," Tran shared via her video submission. "Red Balloon gives others the opportunity I have every single day as a medical student — and that's to change a child's life."

To learn more about Red Balloon, visit Red Balloon.

DoSomething.org is a New York-based not-for-profit organization that helps young people take action in their communities through monthly cause campaigns, scholarships, grants and other key resources.

About DoSomething.org

DoSomething.org is one of the largest organizations in the US that helps young people rock causes they care about. A driving force in creating a culture of volunteerism, DoSomething.org is on track to activate two million young people in 2011. By leveraging the web, television, mobile, and pop culture, DoSomething.org inspires, empowers and celebrates a generation of doers:  teenagers who recognize the need to do something, believe in their ability to get it done, and then take action.  Plug in at www.DoSomething.org.

About AT&T

AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) is a premier communications holding company. Its subsidiaries and affiliates – AT&T operating companies – are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation's fastest mobile broadband network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet, voice and cloud-based services. A leader in mobile broadband and emerging 4G capabilities, AT&T also offers the best wireless coverage worldwide of any U.S. carrier, offering the most wireless phones that work in the most countries.  It also offers advanced TV services under the AT&T U-verse® and AT&T |DIRECTV brands. The company's suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world. In domestic markets, AT&T Advertising Solutions and AT&T Interactive are known for their leadership in local search and advertising.

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About Philanthropy at AT&T

AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) is committed to advancing education, strengthening communities and improving lives. Through its philanthropic initiatives, AT&T has a long history of supporting projects that create learning opportunities; promote academic and economic achievement; and address community needs. In 2010, more than $148.2 million was contributed through corporate-, employee- and AT&T Foundation-giving programs.

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SOURCE AT&T Inc.