The Pepsi Bottling Group to Honor Outstanding Teacher and Students in Phoenix

The Pepsi Bottling Group to Honor Outstanding Teacher and Students in Phoenix

October 18, 2006

PHOENIX–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Oct. 17, 2006–The Pepsi Bottling Group Inc. (PBG) announced today the creation of a new educational program as part of its commitment to the Latino community in the Phoenix area. Named Pepsi Motivate y Educate, the program recognizes and rewards excellence among high school teachers and graduating seniors in the Valley of the Sun. The program will deliver a $1,000 teacher recognition award, two $2,500 scholarships to graduating high school seniors and bring a motivational speaker to high schools.

“We want to encourage tomorrow’s leaders to strive for excellence,” said Ron Goodson, Vice President and General Manager of the Southwest Market Unit at PBG. “Through community partnerships with high schools and local retailers, The Pepsi Bottling Group wants to motivate and support these leaders so that they can further their education and obtain the tools necessary for continued success.”

To help spread the word about Motivate y Educate, PBG is teaming up with local retailers Food City, Ranch Market and Fry’s Mercado. Food City will help search for a deserving high school teacher, Ranch Market will sponsor the motivational speaker tour and Fry’s Mercado will publicize the high school scholarships. Program information, scholarship applications and nomination forms will be available in participating high schools and stores beginning this month. Forms must be completed and postmarked by November 21, 2006.

To qualify for the $2,500 scholarship, prospective applicants must be high school seniors from the Phoenix area (Maricopa County) graduating in 2007, be enrolled full time in a degree-seeking program at a U.S. accredited college or university in the U.S. for the 2007-2008 academic year and have a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

To be eligible for the $1,000 Teacher Recognition Award, nominated teachers must teach in a Phoenix-area (Maricopa County) high school. Teachers may be nominated by a student, parent, friend or colleague who views the teacher as an inspiration to his/her Latino students.

“We want to invite all high school seniors and teachers to apply. We are very proud to bring this program to the community and look forward to meeting our outstanding students and teacher,” said Mr. Goodson.

To learn more about The Pepsi Bottling Group’s Motivate y Educate program please contact Yanka Burgos at (310) 869-4942 or via email at [email protected]

About The Pepsi Bottling Group, Inc.

The Pepsi Bottling Group, Inc. (www.pbg.com) is the world’s largest manufacturer, seller and distributor of Pepsi-Cola beverages with operations in the U.S., Canada, Greece, Mexico, Russia, Spain and Turkey.

Copyright Business Wire 2006