Columbia, S. C. - Governor Jim Hodges on Monday announced that Kriska Carandang, an eighth grader at Sevier Middle School in Greenville, has the won the drawing for two airline tickets to New York City in the Governor's Citizenship Award Program.

"The qualities of good citizenship should be taught and practiced in our schools and homes," Hodges said. "I want to recognize the students that exemplify good citizenship and provide incentive for all our state's young citizens to incorporate the quailities of good citizenship into their daily lives."

In November, every governor in the country was presented with two tickets to New York City to use at their discretion. Governor Hodges chose to use his as an incentive for students and schools to participate in his state citizenship program. Educators were encouraged to choose students that best represented good citizenship as classroom and school winners. Schools submitted their winners' names to the Governor's Office for a chance at winning the two airline tickets. Kriska's name was drawn this morning by the Governor.

"Kriska demonstrates all the qualities listed for the Governor's Citizenship Award to the highest degree," said May Welborn, Sevier Middle School guidance counselor. "She is an excellent student, well self-disciplined with leadership qualities expressed with care and concern for others."

Kriska will receive the tickets to New York City this week. For more information on the Governor's Citizenship Award Program, visit the web page at www.state.sc.us/governor/citaward.html