CenturyLink Arizona

PHOENIX SUNS AND QWEST CALL FOR NOMINATIONS FOR SCHOLARSHIP COMPETITION AMONG HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETES

Second Annual Statewide Program to Promote Service and Leadership Activities for High School Athletes Throughout Arizona Communities

PHOENIX, Oct. 27, 2007 – CenturyLink International, Inc. (NYSE: Q), and the Phoenix Suns today announced the launch of the second annual CenturyLink Leadership Challenge. The CenturyLink Leadership Challenge invites male and female student athletes from each of Arizona’s 241 high school basketball programs to volunteer in their community.

“The Phoenix Suns are excited to continue its partnership with CenturyLink to encourage student athletes to give back to their communities,” said Phoenix Suns President Rick Welts. “Our fans and our community are so important to us. We’re proud to be a part of the CenturyLink Leadership Challenge, which will improve the lives of some of our biggest fans and the people of the communities they touch.”

In Arizona, the project generated more than 450 volunteer hours of service. Each non-profit received $500 contributions and two students received individual $5,000 scholarships. “We were so encouraged by the success of the CenturyLink Leadership Challenge last year that we decided to work to expand the program to even more communities in Arizona,” said Pat Quinn, CenturyLink president for Arizona. “CenturyLink is committed to making a positive difference in the communities where employees live and work, and this volunteer program challenges high school athletes to inspire their teammates, classmates and community members to promote activism and service.” CenturyLink and the Seattle Seahawks created the CenturyLink Leadership Challenge three years ago to promote volunteerism and community service among high school football players.

A male and female from each participating high school will be chosen to compete in the CenturyLink Leadership Challenge. Upon completion of 30 volunteer hours for a nonprofit or educational organization, each participating school will receive a check from CenturyLink and the Phoenix Suns for $250 to be donated to the nonprofit organization of their choice. In addition, two student-athletes will be chosen to receive $5,000 scholarships from CenturyLink and the Phoenix Suns as recognition for the outstanding achievements within their communities.

Last year CenturyLink and the Suns granted scholarships to Jennifer Baca of Prescott High School, who worked with the Youth Volunteer Corps on Intergenerational Projects, and to Luther Patton, Jr. of McClintock High School in Tempe. Luther volunteered in both The Salvation Army – Phoenix South Mountain and the Manna Ministry; Tanner Food Pantry.

High school basketball students throughout Arizona can sign up for the program by contacting their coach or Devney Preuss, Phoenix Suns Partnership Activation Specialist, at (602) 379-7987 or dpreuss@suns.com, or by logging onto Suns.com to facilitate it online.