Plano ISD Middle School Student Among 'Nestlé Very Best Youth'

(GLENDALE, Calif.) – April 2, 2007

Out of nearly 1,000 nominations, Nestlé USA is proud to announce the search for America’s most extraordinary young people has culminated in the recognition of 27 Nestlé Very Best In Youth, including Andrew Cely, 14, a student at Schimelpfenig Middle School in Plano, TX.

Honoring young people between the ages of 10 and 18, the Nestlé Very Best In Youth award program pays tribute to those young people who are committed to academic excellence and are devoted to leading a generation of positive change within their communities. With the belief that you are never too young to realize your dreams and make a difference in the world, these remarkable youth are an inspiration -- they have set the standard for excellence.

Andrew, for example, motivated by his father’s battle with diabetes, has spent countless hours volunteering with the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation. He has raised donations and designed t-shirts for its annual Walk-A-Thon. Andrew is also a member of the Rougham Tower Association, which aims to restore a World War II control tower in Bury St. Edmunds, UK into a museum and memorial dedicated to those who served in the war, among them Andrew’s grandfather. Andrew is an award-winning swimmer and musician. He is also an honor student and officer for the National Junior Honor Society.

“What Andrew and each of the Nestlé Very Best In Youth have achieved at such a young age is commendable and they deserve to be recognized,” said Ken Bentley, vice president of community affairs/educational programs at Nestlé USA. “These kids have, and are forever changing the lives of those surrounding them, as well as the lives of people they may never meet. Each of them embodies the characteristics of what it truly means to be a Nestlé Very Best In Youth and I look forward to the successes they will have in the future."

Joining the ranks of more than 150 past award recipients, Andrew and the other 26 honorees will each receive an all-expense paid, five-day trip to Los Angeles for an awards ceremony in July 2007, and $1,000 to donate to a charity of their choice. The winners will also be featured in the 2007 Nestlé Very Best In Youth book, which will be available in the summer of 2007 with complimentary copies being distributed to schools and libraries nationwide. For more information on how to obtain copies of the 2007 Nestlé Very Best In Youth book, write Nestlé USA, Community Affairs, 800 North Brand Blvd., Glendale, CA 91203 or go to www.Nestle-verybestinyouth.com.

Promoted through a nationwide network of teachers, parents and community volunteers, the Nestlé Very Best In Youth program was initiated in 1997 to support and recognize outstanding leadership among today’s youth. To date, five Nestlé Very Best In Youth books have been published with winners’ stories and more than $600,000 has been donated to support winners’ charities.