Farmers Insurance Announces Scholarship Winners as Part of the Angel City Classic Football Game...

LOS ANGELES -- Farmers Insurance announced the five winners of the Emerging Scholarship program for California college students who are in their 2nd, 3rd or 4th year attending an Historically Black College or University (HBCU) or United Negro College Fund (UNCF) school. The five winners will be

"We are honored to be the sponsor of the Angel City Classic, and especially the Scholarship Gala September 7," noted Farmers Insurance CEO Paul Hopkins. "It is Farmers' way of saying we care about young people who could use a helping hand as they pursue a college education. What better way to let them know that they deserve a good education and can achieve their goals in life because scholarships are available to help."

Los Angeles Unified School (LAUSD) District Superintendent David L. Brewer III will host the Scholarship Gala and with Los Angeles County Supervisor Yvonne Braithwaite Burke will honor the scholarship winners from Farmers Insurance and the United Negro College Fund (UNCF).

The Farmers Insurance Emerging Scholarship winners are:

Ms. Chanelle Myrella Brown of Castro Valley, California. Chanelle is a Sophomore at Howard University studying Journalism.

Miss Krystal Ann Walker of Anaheim, California. Krystal is a Senior at Hampton University and is studying to become an Architect.

Mr. Michael Cornelius Hayes of Antioch, California. Michael is a Sophomore at Clark Atlanta University and is a Communications major.

Mr. Nelson Raphael Beato Jr., Moreno Valley, California. Nelson is a Senior at Oakwood College and is a Business major.

Rosalyn Renee Reed of Oakland, California. Rosalyn is a Senior at Spelman University and is a Political Science major.

"We couldn't be more proud about helping these students achieve their dreams in life," explained Faye W. McClure, Farmers Vice President of Strategic Markets.

The Farmers Insurance Angel City Classic will showcase the talents of two of the nation's most prestigious Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) on and off the field as the North Carolina A&T State Aggies and the Prairie View A&M University Panthers battle it out. The event will be held on September 8, 2007, at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

This family-oriented weekend event includes action-packed football excitement, Greek step shows (such as those showcased in the hit movie Stomp The Yard), and the much anticipated Battle of the Bands. The primary focus of the Classic is to increase awareness, particularly among youth, of the educational and cultural opportunities offered by HBCUs.

Says John Fleming, CEO of Black Educational Events, LLC, "We are so pleased by the Superintendent's participation in this program and his understanding of our mission. Our aim is to encourage LAUSD students to go to college. With high school drop-out rates at a staggering 50%, we want to support the Superintendent's agenda to keep students on an educational course."

The Farmers Insurance Angel City Classic event schedule is as follows:

    9:00 a.m. - College/Career Expo, Cultural Festival and Vendor Fair
    10:00 a.m. - Youth Football Game
    12:00 p.m. - High School Band Competition
                 Drumline and Step Show
    2:30 p.m. - Angel City Classic and Half-Time Battle of the Bands

For more information, to purchase tickets or to participate as a sponsor or a vendor, call the Farmers Insurance Angel City Classic office at 323-293-0940 or visit www.angelcityclassic.com

About Farmers Insurance

Farmers Group, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Zurich Financial Services, an insurance-based financial services provider with a global network of subsidiaries and offices in North America and Europe as well as in Asia Pacific, Latin America and other markets. Farmers[R] is the nation's third-largest Personal Lines Property & Casualty insurance group. Headquartered in Los Angeles and doing business in 41 states, the insurers comprising the Farmers Insurance Group of Companies provide Homeowners, Auto, Business, Life insurance and financial services to more than 10 million households. For more information about Farmers, visit our Web site at www.farmers.com

About Black Educational Events LLC

The primary mission of Black Educational Events, LLC (B.E.E.) is to produce Classic Events on the West Coast that showcase HBCUs. These events combine the entertainment of bands, dance teams and cheering squads with the competition and pride associated with a HBCU football game. Because youth in western geographies are thousands of miles away from most HBCUs, these classic events also serve a higher purpose: to increase awareness, particularly among youth, of the educational and cultural opportunities offered by HBCUs.

Through last year's Classic and this year's Farmers Angel City Classic, Black Educational Events, LLC continues to partner with Southern California school districts and other youth-focused organizations to inspire young people to stay in high school, graduate and continue their education. B.E.E. believes that by increasing awareness about the opportunities provided by HBCUs, we can help change the course of this crisis.