A $500 ExxonMobile Educational Alliance Foundation grant brought writer Willo Davis Roberts, author of over 90 children's books and a three-time winner of the Edgar Award for Young Readers, to Hilton's Merton Williams Middle School last month. Her novels include: The Girl With the Silver Eyes, Megan's Island, and Kidnappers (Simon and Schuster).

Roberts, who is traveling across the country from her home in Washington state, presented and discussed aspects of writing from rough draft to publication for seventh and eighth graders at the school's Library/Media Center, director of which, Dr. Lorraine Sherwood, received the grant.

Two other EXXONMobile grants were awarded to support Hilton school programs this year to Hilton High School Student Council awarded to Student Council President Mikel Colakoglu and Northwood Elementary School's FIRST Reading Club awarded to FIRST Reading Club founder and parent Dorothy Distefano. The grants are awarded through local Mobile outlets: Don & Holly's, Inc. and Mico Transmission, Inc; and the Marron family.