Kaplan/Newsweek Announce All-Star Judging Panel for 9th Annual Scholarship Competition

Deadline for Entry is March 1, 2003

New York, February 14, 2003 - With its annual scholarship contest in full swing, Kaplan, Inc. and Newsweek magazine announced that their stellar judging panel for the 2003 "My Turn" Essay Competition are: Jay Mathews, Anna Quindlen, Carol Weston, Pam Hamer and Peter Johnson. The ninth annual competition provides high school students with a forum to express their creative ideas and simultaneously compete for college scholarship prizes. The deadline for entry is March 1, 2003. Entry forms and official rules are available online at www.kaptest.com/essay.

"The continued success of our essay competition is due in large part to extraordinary panel of judges we have each year," said Jonathan Grayer, Kaplan, Inc. Chairman and CEO. "Their dedication to this event is selfless and we are fortunate to have such a distinguished panel once again."

The judges are leaders in their field and raise the stakes of winning of this competition.

Anna Quindlen is a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, best-selling novelist and Newsweek columnist. Some of her works include, A Short Guide to a Happy Life and Black and Blue.
Carol Weston is an author of nine books including FOR TEENS ONLY: Quotes, Notes, and Advice You Can Use and the advice guru behind the "Dear Carol" column in Girls' Life.
Jay Mathews is an education reporter and columnist for the Washington Post. A recent recipient of the Benjamin Fine education reporting award, Mr. Mathews is also author Harvard Schmarvard, a light-hearted book to help parents and students get through the college admissions process.
Pamela Hamer is senior researcher and coordinator of the Newsweek "My Turn" column.
Peter Johnson is a Columbia University senior associate director of admissions.

"Our goal is to honor the best and brightest of the nation's young writers," said Richard M. Smith, chairman and editor-in-chief of Newsweek. "We hope this contest will encourage students to develop their writing skills."

Students are asked to express opinions reflecting personal experiences that have shaped their lives in original 500-1,000-word essays. Past topics have included school prayer, the effects of war on families, the value of friendship and diversity.

Ten finalists will be selected, with the first-place winner receiving a $5,000 scholarship, the second-place winner receiving a $2,000 scholarship and eight additional winners receiving scholarships in the amount of $1,000. Ten honorable mentions will also be selected. The winning essay will be considered for publication in Newsweek magazine, and all the finalists' essays will be published on the Newsweek Education Program Web site, www.newsweekeducation.com. Winners will be announced in April.

Kaplan and Newsweek Kaplan, Inc. (http://www.kaplan.com) is a premier provider of educational services for individuals, schools and businesses. Newsweek provides comprehensive coverage of national and international affairs, business, society, science and technology, and arts and entertainment. The magazine appears in more than 190 countries and has a worldwide circulation of more than 4 million. Kaplan and Newsweek are subsidiaries of The Washington Post Company (NYSE: WPO).

Press Contacts:

Tammy Fang
212-492-5965
tammy_fang@kaplan.com

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