DALLAS — The Texas Lyceum, the statewide non-profit, non-partisan leadership group focused on identifying the next generation of top Texas leaders, announced its Leadership Award scholarships for 2009.

“We are pleased to honor these five outstanding Texas students with the Lyceum Leadership Scholarship Awards,” said Lyceum President Jay Rutherford. “We had many students apply for our scholarship awards which makes our selection process even more challenging.”

“However, this group of five students was truly outstanding, not only with respect to their academic achievements, which are considerable, but also in their commitment to giving back to their communities - a trait the Lyceum honors and fosters with our own members.”

Each of the following award honorees will receive a $2,000 scholarship:

* Harmony High School senior, Katherine “Katie” Brianne Wilson, is the daughter of Gary and Veleria Wilson of Gilmer. Ms. Wilson was awarded the scholarship for displaying her leadership qualities through her involvement in her school, including serving as Student Council President and as cheerleading captain. Along with being elected Miss Harmony this year by her teachers, Ms. Wilson lettered in basketball, volleyball, softball and track. Ms. Wilson will be attending the University of Texas at Austin and plans to earn her degree in business and accounting.

* Coleman High School High senior Nicole Lynn Heath;

* Tidehaven High School senior Kirby Jean Hickl;

* Wylie High School senior Joshua Light;

* Sabinal High School senior Danielle Rucker.

The Texas Lyceum Leadership Award recipients are selected on the basis of leadership, academic record, honors, a personal essay, letters of recommendation, potential to succeed, and participation in school and community service. Lyceum Leadership Award applicants must be Texas residents and carry an average 3.0 GPA. The award can only go to students who are graduating from high school in the year in which the scholarship is awarded and they must attend an accredited Texas college or university. For more information about the Texas Lyceum Leadership Award please go to www.texaslyceum.org and see "scholarships."

About the Lyceum

The Texas Lyceum, a non-profit, non-partisan group, is a premier statewide leadership organization focused on identifying the next generation of top Texas leaders. The Lyceum consists of 96 men and women from throughout the state, who begin their six-year term while under the age of 46, and have demonstrated leadership in their community and profession, together with a deep commitment to Texas.

In 2008, the Lyceum conducted the second annual Texas Lyceum Poll, an independent survey of Texan’s attitudes about issues facing the state and the nation, and held its 24th Annual Public Conference in Austin entitled The 2009 Stimulus Package: What’s in it (or not) for Texas?

The Lyceum has an impressive list of former members who are serving or have served in public office including: President George W. Bush, Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, Governor Rick Perry, former Texas Comptroller John Sharp, Texas State Senators Rodney Ellis and Kirk Watson, Houston Mayor Bill White, Texas Supreme Court Justice Don Willett, and former Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings.

The Texas Lyceum acts as a catalyst to bring together diverse opinions and expertise to focus on national and state issues, and seeks to emphasize constructive private sector, public sector, and individual responses to the issues.

To accomplish these purposes, the Lyceum conducts periodic public forums, publishes the Lyceum Journal, produces The Texas Lyceum Poll, and convenes programs for the Directors to explore and discuss key economic and social issues of the state and nation. For more information visit: www.texaslyceum.org.