National Forensic League All-Stars Receive $88,000 in College Scholarships from Lincoln Financial Group

PHILADELPHIA, June 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- A week of exciting competition ended in triumph for several high school speech and debate students from across the United States. More than 3,000 U.S. high school speech students, accompanied by their coaches, teachers, parents and other supporters, gathered in Derby/Wichita, KS to compete in a week-long tournament for the title of National Champion in the Lincoln Financial Group(R)/National Forensic League National Speech Tournament. The event's national sponsor, Lincoln Financial Group, awarded $88,000 in college scholarships and prizes.

Recognizing the National Forensic League members' devotion to academic learning and personal growth along with their commitment to honing the important art of communication, Lincoln Financial Group awarded $88,000 in scholarships and prizes to the following students:

* Taron Grizzell and Karen Joshi, James Logan High School, Union City, CA: $5,000 each for first place in duo interpretation of literature * Nana Amoahr, Jr., Edison High School, Alexandria, VA: $5,000 for first place in dramatic interpretation of literature * Matt Fisher and Stephanie Spies, Glenbrook North High School, Northbrook, IL: $5,000 each for first place in policy debate * Sundeep Iyler, Ridge High School, Basking Ridge, NJ: $5,000 for first place in student congress (Senate) * Kenneth Colonel, Winter Springs High School, Winter Springs, FL: $5,000 for first place in student congress (House) * Amanda Scherker and Emily Scherker, Ransom Everglades Upper School, Coconut Grove, FL: $5,000 each for first place in Ted Turner Public Forum Debate * David Kumbroch, Collierville High School, Collierville, TN: $5,000 for first place in international extemporaneous speaking * Alex Stephenson, Eagan High School, Eagan, MN: $5,000 for first place in United States extemporaneous speaking * Cameron Steele, James Logan High School, Union City, CA: $5,000 for first place in humorous interpretation of literature * Anthony Francomacaro, Holy Ghost Prep School, Bensalem, PA: $5,000 for first place in original oratory * Taarini Vohra, Hockaday School, Dallas, TX: $5,000 for first place in Lincoln Financial Group Lincoln-Douglas debate * Bilal Malik, James Logan High School, Union City, CA: $4,000 for second place in Lincoln Financial Group Lincoln-Douglas debate * Shivani Vohra, Hockaday School, Dallas, TX: $3,000 for third place in Lincoln Financial Group Lincoln-Douglas debate * Maeshal Abid, West Des Moines Valley High School, West Des Moines, IA: $2,000 for fourth place in Lincoln Financial Group Lincoln-Douglas debate

Additionally, eight School Participants of the Year were randomly chosen and awarded $500 program scholarships, and five Student Participants of the Year were randomly chosen and awarded $1,000 individual scholarships. One NFL participant won a Donovan McNabb autographed Philadelphia Eagle's football jersey and a trip for four to Lincoln Financial Field(R) in Philadelphia to attend a Philadelphia Eagles football game.

For the second year in a row, students from Seoul, South Korea, attended this year's National Speech Tournament and competed in main events. National Forensic League affiliate members from South Korea participated in the annual "Guest Country Program." In cooperation with the International Debate Education Association, the National Forensic League arranged for the South Korean students to compete in the main event categories of International Extemporaneous speaking, Ted Turner Public Forum Debate, Original Oratory, and Interpretative Events.

On Friday, June 22, Abraham Lincoln, portrayed by Richard "Fritz" Klein, one of the foremost Lincoln actors of today, gave the keynote speech and spoke on the importance of oratory skills and encouraged participants to use these skills to positively influence moral and social issues. He also delivered a rendition of the Gettysburg address.

About the National Forensic League National Speech Tournament

The Lincoln Financial Group(R)/National Forensic League National Speech Tournament is an annual competition organized and run by the National Forensic League. The 2007 National Speech Tournament was held June 18 - 22 in Wichita, Kansas. The National Forensic League is a non-partisan, not-for-profit educational honor society based in Ripon, Wis. Lincoln Financial Group has been a sponsor of the National Forensic League since 1994.

About Lincoln Financial Group

Lincoln Financial Group is the marketing name for Lincoln National Corporation and its affiliates. With headquarters in Philadelphia, the companies of Lincoln Financial Group had assets under management of $237 billion as of March 31, 2007. Lincoln Financial Group recognizes the changing financial security needs of today's retirees as well as those still in the workforce, and focuses its products and services on making retirement income security a reality for its clients. Specifically, through its affiliated companies, Lincoln Financial Group offers: annuities; individual life insurance; group life, disability, and dental insurance; 401(k) and 403(b) plans; savings plans; mutual Funds; managed accounts; institutional investments; and comprehensive financial planning and advisory services. Affiliates include: Delaware Investments, the marketing name for Delaware Management Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries; Lincoln Financial Media, which owns and operates three television stations, 18 radio stations, and the Lincoln Financial Sports production and syndication business; and Lincoln UK. For more information please visit http://www.lfg.com/.