BUFFALO, N.Y., June 11, 2009 – AAA Members Insurance Agency is pleased to announce the winners of the first-annual AAA Insurance Scholarship for Community Excellence. Michael Rudzinski of West Seneca, N.Y. has been awarded a $1,000.00 scholarship. Jesse Fodero III, also of West Seneca, has been awarded a $500.00 scholarship.

Michael Rudzinski is a senior at Canisius High School and plans to attend the University at Buffalo where he will major in Pharmacy. He has been an active volunteer at the Brothers of Mercy Nursing Home, St. Luke’s Mission, and has served as a student coach with West Seneca Youth Hockey. Rudzinski is also a member of the baseball and club hockey teams at Canisius High School. He is the son of Eugene and Rosanne Rudzinski.

Jesse Fodero III attends West Seneca East High School, where he is finishing first in his class, and has plans to study Biochemistry at Canisius College. He has been involved in many extra curricular activities, including the science, spanish and ski clubs, as well as volleyball and track and field. Fodero is also an active member of West Seneca Youth Engaged in Service and the Boy Scouts of America, where he earned the rank of Eagle Scout. He is the son of Jesse and Lisa Fodero.

Both students exemplified outstanding academic achievement and community involvement throughout their high school tenure. Rudzinski and Fodero were honored for their achievements during a special ceremony at the AAA Orchard Park Travel and Insurance Center on Wednesday, June 10, 2009.

This is the first time AAA has offered the AAA Insurance Scholarship for Community Excellence. To be eligible, students must maintain a grade point average of 3.00, demonstrate leadership and volunteerism in their community, actively participate in at least two years of extra-curricular activities, and plan to attend a college, university, or accredited technical school in New York State. The AAA Insurance Scholarship is open to high school students residing in the 25-county territory of AAA Western and Central New York.

For more information about AAA Members Insurance Agency or the AAA Insurance scholarship program, please visit www.AAA.com/insurance.

As Upstate New York’s largest member services organization, AAA provides nearly 880,000 members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive related services. Since its founding in 1900, AAA has been a leading advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. Visit AAA at www.AAA.com.

Pictured Left to Right: Jesse and Lisa Fodero, Scholarship Winner Jesse Fodero III, and David Weber, Vice President of Insurance for AAA Western and Central New York.

Pictured Left to Right: Eugene and Rosanne Rudzinski, Scholarship Winner Michael Rudzinski, and David Weber, Vice President of Insurance for AAA Western and Central New York.