FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Twin Cities In Motion Names 2015 College Scholarship Winners

Hope Academys Ephraim Bird and Stillwaters Fiona Montie Earn $5,000 Scholarships

St. Paul, Minn. May 4, 2015 Twin Cities In Motion, the organizer of the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon and year-round running events in Minneapolis and St. Paul, has awarded Ephraim Bird of Hope Academy and Fiona Montie of Stillwater Area High School its 2015 Twin Cities In Motion College Scholarships.

Bird and Montie were chosen from a field of more than 100 applicants, based on the strength of their running accomplishments, academic performance, and community service. In addition, candidates were asked to write a personal essay. This year marks the 15th year that Twin Cities In Motion has awarded scholarships to the metro areas most impressive male and female distance running scholar-athletes.

"It's an honor for Twin Cities In Motion to present scholarships to Ephraim and Fiona," Twin Cities In Motion Executive Director Virginia Brophy Achman said. "They stand out from a strong pool of applicants with their impressive talents and commitment to the community. We are proud to invest in high school students in our community and support their hopes and dreams."

Bird distinguished himself among TCM Scholarship applicants thanks to a 3.7 GPA, 476 hours of community service and volunteer work, and proven leadership skills as a team captain of his cross country team. Adopted from an orphanage in his native Ethiopia, he returned there for two months last summer to work as a volunteer. Bird, who finished 5^th at the Class A State Cross Country Meet last fall, intends to pursue engineering or business in college with plans to return to Ethiopia to open an orphanage.

Montie set herself apart from TCM Scholarship nominees thanks to a weighted 4.1 GPA, 255 hours of community service and volunteer work, and proven leadership skills as a team captain of her track and field team. She developed a nutrition education program at United Family Medicine Health Clinic in St. Paul for Spanish-speaking patients. Montie, an all-state track and field athlete, plans to attend the University of Wisconsin and pursue a degree in biological sciences or neuropsychology with a goal of practicing medicine.

Twin Cities In Motion has awarded more than $110,000 in college scholarships since the inception of the TCM College Scholarship Program. The Twin Cities In Motion College Scholarship Program is one of TCMs community outreach initiatives that include the Medtronic TC Kids Marathon, a community-wide effort that inspires healthy lifestyles among children, and the High School Running Shoe Program, which provides running shoes to high school cross country and track athletes in need.

For more information on the Twin Cities In Motion College Scholarship program, visit tcmevents.org.

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About Twin Cities In Motion (TCM): Twin Cities In Motion organizes the regions premier running events, including the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon, a Top 10 U.S. Marathon. With a mission of promoting healthy lifestyles through running events and community outreach, TCM contributes a portion of every race dollar to local youth and professional athletes and helps raise more than $800,000 annually with its charity partners. For more information, visit us at tcmevents.org, or find us on Facebook and on Twitter @tcmarathon.

Media Contacts:
Charlie Mahler Breanne Hegg
Media & Communications Manager Marketing & Media Director
Twin Cities In Motion Twin Cities In Motion
Office: 651-289-7708 Office: 651-289-7704
Mobile: 952-423-8126 Mobile: 612-805-2183
charlie@tcmevents.org breanne@tcmevents.org

2635 University Avenue West, Suite 190, St. Paul, MN 55114