MEDIA ALERT

Release Date: October 21, 2009

Contact: Pete Smith, Director of Communications, 601-359-1336

***FOR PLANNING PURPOSES ONLY: DO NOT RELEASE***

$25,000 MILKEN NATIONAL EDUCATOR AWARD TO SURPRISE MISSISSIPPI TEACHER

Milken Family Foundation tours the country to bestow national awards and more than $1.2 million in cash prizes to over 50 preeminent secondary educators

WHAT: An unsuspecting Mississippi educator will receive an unrestricted $25,000 Milken Educator Award at a surprise schoolwide assembly. Presented by Foundation representatives, the prestigious award will recognize the exceptional work of this educator as a model for the state and nation. The event is part of the Milken Family Foundation's 23rd Annual National Notifications tour, honoring more than 50 outstanding educators as 2009 Milken Educator Award recipients with collective cash prizes totaling more than $1.2 million.

***The recipient will not know [he/she] is being honored until the name is revealed at the assembly in front of students and faculty, as well as local education officials and state dignitaries. ***

WHEN: Wednesday, October 21, 2009

WHERE: 10:00 a.m. Gulfport High School, Bert Jenkins Gymnasium, 100 Perry Street Gulfport, MS 39507

***Note: To maintain the "surprise factor," please do not reveal the school location information in advance of the notification.***

WHO:
• Surprise Award recipient and students, faculty and community leaders
• Milken Family Foundation Representative
• Others

CONTACT: Pete Smith, Communications Director, 601-664-8112

WEB SITE: www.mff.org