On March 31 in St. Louis, while Purdue and Notre Dame were getting ready to battle for the NCAA Division I national championship, eight high school players were also in town to take part in a very special program. Called the "Hoops & Heroes" awards, the program (now in its second year) rewards female high school basketball players for their academic, community service, and athletic achievements.

Winners receive a $1,000 educational savings bond along with a trip to the women's Final Four. This year's stay in St. Louis also involved a special ceremony where the eight girls were honored in the presence of some of the greatest women's basketball players and coaches of all time.

Hoops & Heroes winners pose with Robin Roberts, Marilyn Ware, Anne Donovan, and Maryalyce Jeremiah.

Award presenters included Robin Roberts (ESPN anchor and women's basketball commentator), Anne Donovan (head coach of the Charlotte Sting), and Dr. MaryAlyce Jeremiah (chair of the NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Committee). Also in attendance were Michelle Marciniak (current player for the Portland Fire and 1996 Final Four MVP for Tennessee), Bernadette McGlade (last year's chair of the Division I women's basketball committee), and Patty Viverito (this year's executive director of the Final Four).

The program is sponsored by American Water Works Company, a water utility enterprise, which has its headquarters in Voorhees, N.J. The Company's utility subsidiaries and affiliates serve approximately 10 million people in 23 states.

"We're excited to have these talented young women representing American Water Works," said Marilyn Ware, chairman of the board of the company. "I speak from personal experience, as a former player myself, when affirming how the positive lessons of teamwork and leadership transfer from the basketball court to the business world, and serve to shape young athletes into the leaders of tomorrow."

Last December, American Water Works invited high school coaches from across the country to nominate an outstanding student on their girls' basketball team to write an essay describing how participating in sports has contributed to their personal growth. Judging was based on four criteria: academics, well-roundedness, leadership, and athletic ability.

Here's a look at the winners, including excerpts from their essays:

Shawtina Ferguson, West Winner (California)
3.89 GPA
Senior class chairperson and yearbook editor
Captain of basketball team
"I never anticipated that my strength of character along with my outlook on life could, even in the slightest way, be attributed to an orange ball or my ability to spike, but it has." - to read Shawtina's complete essay, click here.

TeKenya Turner, St. Louis Winner
Plays three sports
Plans to attend Jackson State University in Mississippi
"Through sports I've learned to focus on a future that I could not have imagined without the tools given to me through sportsmanship."
- to read TeKenya's complete essay, click here.

Lauren Standlee, Missouri Winner
4.06 GPA
Named to First-Team All-State and named Conference Player of the Year
"The competition sports provide and the hard work and concentration they require constantly prompt me to examine my courage and heart, reminding me there is always room for improvement" - to read Lauren's complete essay, click here.

Kate Gagliardi, Northeast Winner (New Jersey)
3.9 GPA
Would like to open her own physical therapy practice for athletes
"Besides my behavior, I have become more disciplined in my school work, learning better time management and knowing that if I can keep my grades up I will be able to go farther in life." - to read Kate's complete essay, click here.

Alexandria Crumble, Mideast Winner (Indiana)
1st in her class
Talented singer
"If I continue to work hard in everything that I do, I can learn to deal with success and failure, both which occur in my life as well as my sports."
- to read Alexandria's complete essay, click here.

Kristen Gattuso, Pennsylvania Winner
Future pre-law student
Played on varsity team as a freshman
"To be able to come back and win lets me know that nothing is impossible and out of reach with hard work and dedication."
- to read Kristen's complete essay, click here.

Debbie Kosieniak, Southeast Winner (Kentucky)
Formed youth group at local church
Team captain
"The game does not always end with success but through it I've learned to handle stress and disappointment. I don't let one downfall ruin my hopes. I have developed the ability to endure the bad and take something good from it and persevere when things are tough."
- to read Debbie's complete essay, click here.

Molly Hardesty, Midwest Winner (Illinois)
3.6 GPA
Only girl on boys' team in middle school
"My eyes have opened to the realization and acceptance that all people are different, yet in achieving success it is ultimately a group of individuals from within, achieving success of a larger picture."
- to read Molly's complete essay, click here.

The scholarship program will continue next year, with information on applying due out in the fall. For updates, visit the American Water Works Web site.