nLIGHT Awards First MAP Scholarship

Vancouver, WA  June 5, 2006

nLIGHT Corporation, a leading manufacturer of high-power semiconductor lasers announced today that it has awarded the first MAP scholarship to Christopher Liu, a junior at Mountain View High School.

nLIGHT started the Mentoring Advanced Placement Program (MAP) in 2005 with the mission to help students develop a clearer vision of their future, develop potential career options and strategies for success in the global economy. MAP provides mentors from businesses to high school students pursuing advanced placement coursework, not only to help them succeed in this rigorous coursework, but also to provide them with real world exposure to how the concepts are translated in the workplace.

MAP is a partnership between nLIGHT, local businesses, Educational Service District (ESD) 112, the Southwest Washington Workforce Development Council (SWWDC) and local school districts. MAP started in 2005 and 2006 with seven mentors from nLIGHT and seven high school AP physics teachers from the Camas, Evergreen, Vancouver, and Washougal School Districts. For the 2006 and 2007 school year, MAP is expected to have twenty-four mentors.

“Our first MAP scholarship winner exemplifies the criteria set out for the MAP Scholarship,” said Scott Keeney, nLIGHT President and CEO. “Not only is he an exceptional student who has demonstrated his thirst for learning and challenge, but he is an compassionate, well rounded, and articulate young man who seeks to develop a sense of community through his personal endeavors.”

Mr. Liu has taken 13 advanced placement classes and 10 honors courses in his three years of high school. He has participated in a variety of school activities including the National Honor Society and the science Olympiad. He was selected as a semi-finalist for the 2006 US Physics team and placed first in the region in the AAPT 2005 Physics Bowl.

Mr. Liu will use his $1,500 scholarship towards his college tuition next fall. The scholarship was awarded on the basis of the student’s participation in MAP, academic performance and completion of the Advanced Placement Program exam.