Eleven High School Graduates Named Arch Coal Scholars

ST. LOUIS, May 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Arch Coal Foundation today announced that 11 recent high school graduates have been chosen as 2008 Arch Coal Scholars. The Arch Coal Scholars program honors outstanding scholastic achievement by the children of employees of Arch Coal, Inc. and its subsidiaries. Each scholar will receive a $1,500 scholarship to an accredited college or university for up to four years.

"This is the 19th year we've honored a new class of Arch Coal Scholars, and every year it is a thrill to recognize and reward the academic and extracurricular achievements of such outstanding students," said Steven F. Leer, Arch Coal chairman and CEO. "We congratulate them -- and their parents -- for the many successes they already have achieved."

This year's Arch Coal Scholars are: Rebecca Altmeyer Daughter of Thomas and Catherine Falls Church, Va. Altmeyer Jessica Dooley Daughter of Donald and Janie Dooley Wright, Wyo. Hannah Hager Daughter of Philip and Leah Hager West Hamlin, W.Va. Justin Johnson Son of Gordon and Angela Johnson Salina, Utah Haley Klinkel Daughter of Brad and Sherry Klinkel Spearfish, S.D. Logan Leaming Son of Gary and Lisa Leaming Redmond, Utah BreeEll McEwen Daughter of Rich and Amy McEwen Richfield, Utah Jarrod Mermis Son of Bill and Jolene Mermis Alton, Ill. Bryan Peugh Son of David and JoAnne Peugh Manchester, Mo. Katlyn Thomas Daughter of Geoff and Gerri Thomas Wright, Wyo. Sarah Wunning Daughter of Mark and Susan Wunning Chesterfield, Mo.

Arch Coal Scholars are selected on the basis of academic record, potential to succeed, leadership and participation in school and community activities, honors, a statement of educational and career goals, work experience, and an outside appraisal.

This year's top Arch Coal Scholar, Katlyn Thomas, received the Kendra Bradley Washburn Memorial Scholarship. Thomas was valedictorian of her senior class at Wright Junior Senior High School, Wright, Wyo. She will attend the University of Wyoming at Laramie this fall, where she plans to major in dietetics.

"These young men and women represent the 'cream of the crop' among high school students in Arch Coal's major operating areas," added Leer. "We are pleased and proud to support them as they pursue their future goals."

Scholarship America, the nation's largest private sector scholarship and educational support organization, administers all aspects of the scholarship competition for Arch Coal, including the independent selection process.

Arch Coal is a long-time supporter of educational excellence. Since its inception in 1989, the Arch Coal Scholars program has provided four-year scholarships to more than 190 new high school graduates. Arch Coal also supports teaching excellence through its annual Arch Coal Teacher Achievement Awards program in West Virginia, Wyoming, and Utah and through an innovative teaching grants program in Delta County, Colo.

Arch Coal is one of the nation's largest coal producers. Through its subsidiary operations in West Virginia, Kentucky, Virginia, Wyoming, Colorado and Utah, Arch Coal provides the fuel for approximately 6 percent of the electricity generated in the United States. The company is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and maintains its corporate headquarters in St. Louis, Mo.