SPRINGDALE, Ark. (Map) - SPRINGDALE, Ark., May 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- After narrowing down thousands of entries, Tyson Foods, Inc., (NYSE: TSN), has announced the top 25 finalists eligible to be selected as Tyson's Gold Medal Mom and win a trip for two to the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. The contest invited Americans to show thanks for the gold-medal deserving moms in their lives by sharing heartfelt stories of gratitude and appreciation. Now they can help determine the winner by voting online at http://www.goldmedalmom.com through June 11.

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As a Proud Sponsor of the 2008 and 2010 U.S. Olympic Teams, Tyson Foods enlisted Mary Lou Retton, Olympic gymnastics champion and mother of four, to assist in judging the contest.

"I feel very fortunate to be a part of Tyson's Gold Medal Mom," said Retton. "I think it's extremely important to show gratitude for the amazing things moms do for their families, and I can't wait to give one special mom the trip of a lifetime."

Now that the top 25 finalists have been chosen, the public can go to http://www.goldmedalmom.com through June 11 to vote for the mom they think is most deserving of Tyson's Gold Medal Mom title. The site showcases each finalist's story, as submitted by the person who nominated her. Visitors will be able to vote once for their favorite finalist during the voting period.*

The Top 25 Gold Medal Mom finalists, listed alphabetically by last name, are:

    Christine Barach; Albany, N.Y.        Susan Lepine; Rochester, Mich.
    Marsha Berger; Los Angeles, Calif.    Maureen Lyn; Baltimore, Md.
    Carla Campbell-Jackson; Normal, Ill.  Kelly Mackay; Long Island, N.Y.
    Joann Cheek; Detroit, Mich.           Cathy Mangieri; Pound Ridge, N.Y.
    Mary Cutler; Albuquerque, N.M.        Cynthia Miller; Dallas, Texas
    Katherine Donis; Au Sable Forks, N.Y. Marcia Mitchell; Tulsa, Okla.
    Gwynne Frank; Kerens, Texas           Lisa Roberts; Lexington, Ky.
    Subrena Glenn-Everett; Atlanta, Ga.   Kathryn Selmon; Oklahoma City, Okla.
    Marijon Harris; Coral Springs, Fla.   Karen Skophammer; Fort Dodge, Iowa
    Teresa Harrod; Little Rock, Ark.      Maria Urena; Miami, Fla.
    Chris Hepner, Baltimore, Md.          Kathy Van Whye; Memphis, Tenn.
    Debbie Higgins; Thurmont, Md.         Susan Walters; Cleveland, Ohio
                                          Clayetta Wise; Amarillo, Texas

In order to select the top 25 finalists, all of the submissions were judged and scored on the following criteria: presentation of story (0-30 points), level of emotion (0-20 points), originality (0-20 points), quality (0-15 points) and relevance to contest topic (0-15 points) for a total of 100 points.*

"It was extremely difficult to narrow down the entries. If we could pick all of the nominees as winners we would, as it's clear that all of them have had an incredible impact on those who nominated them," said Dave Hogberg, senior vice president of consumer products for Tyson Foods, Inc. "But in the end we had to pick the top 25. The ones we selected have stories that are particularly inspirational and touching, and we think they exemplify the true meaning of a Gold Medal Mom. We're excited to see which mom wins over America's heart in the online vote."

The public's vote will be taken into consideration when determining Tyson's Gold Medal Mom, and the winner will be announced shortly after June 18. Each of the 25 finalists will receive a gift valued at $300. The grand prize winner will receive a trip for two to cheer on the U.S. Olympic Team at the 2008 Olympic Games, which includes round-trip airfare, accommodations, selected meals, tickets to four Olympic Games events, a bilingual tour guide to accompany the guests and a cash prize.*

Tyson and the U.S. Olympic Team

As the official chicken, beef and pork Sponsor of the 2008 and 2010 U.S. Olympic Teams, Tyson will serve as a vital protein source for America's Olympic hopefuls as they compete for a spot on the teams going to the Olympic Games in Beijing and Vancouver.

For more information about the Tyson Gold Medal Mom contest, including official rules and how to vote for a mom today, go to http://www.goldmedalmom.com.

About Tyson Foods, Inc.

Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE: TSN), founded in 1935 with headquarters in Springdale, Ark., is the world's largest processor and marketer of chicken, beef, and pork, the second-largest food production company in the Fortune 500 and a member of the S&P 500. The company produces a wide variety of protein-based and prepared food products and is the recognized market leader in the retail and foodservice markets it serves. Tyson provides products and service to customers throughout the United States and more than 80 countries. The company has approximately 104,000 Team Members employed at more than 300 facilities and offices in the United States and around the world. Through its Core Values, Code of Conduct and Team Member Bill of Rights, Tyson strives to operate with integrity and trust and is committed to creating value for its shareholders, customers and Team Members. The company also strives to be faith-friendly, provide a safe work environment and serve as stewards of the animals, land and environment entrusted to it.

    *See official contest rules at http://www.goldmedalmom.com
     Contact:
     Gary Mickelson
     Tyson Foods, Inc.
     479-290-6111
     gary.mickelson@tyson.com
     Elizabeth Sherman
     GolinHarris for Tyson Foods, Inc.
     312-729-4434
     esherman@golinharris.com