Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV), official
airline of the Hispanic Heritage Youth Awards, is proud to support the 2002
national winners of the Hispanic Heritage Youth Awards for Mathematics,
Academic Excellence, Science and Technology, Sports, Literature and
Journalism, and Leadership and Community Service.

The awards were received by Nancy Fernandez of New York, New York; Karen
Sosa of Burke, Virginia; Brandon Garcia of Dallas, Texas; Jesse Rodriguez of
Miami, Florida; Leslie Sanchez of Chicago, Illinois; and Linda Chavira Moreno
of San Diego, California.  Each of the students flew Southwest to Fort
Lauderdale this fall to each receive $5,000 for their educations, a laptop
computer, and a $2,000 educational grant from the Hispanic College Fund.

“We congratulate all the students for their exceptional efforts and
applaud their achievements in each category,” said Kathleen Martinez, Hispanic
marketing manager at Southwest Airlines.  “They have excelled in several
fields making them leaders both in their communities and nationally.  By their
successes, they serve as role models to all of us and more importantly to our
children.”

Southwest Airlines, as a supporter of the Youth Awards program, will
provide the students, now in their first year of college, a roundtrip ticket
home from their school to visit family.

“At Southwest Airlines, there`s always a true sense of family,” Martinez
said.  “It makes sense for us to support talented youth with airfare so we can
help keep them connected with family.”

The students received their awards based on academic merit, participation
in extracurricular activities, and participation in their communities.  They
represent outstanding Hispanic youth of today.

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