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Pearson Foundation and By Kids For Kids Announce Digital Arts Challenge
Winner
Alyssa Hansen, 15, of Irvine, CA wins $10,000 Grand Prize for Graphic Novel
Stamford, CT (March 11, 2009) – The Pearson Foundation and By Kids For Kids
(BKFK) today announced that Alyssa Hansen, 15, of Irvine, California won the
Digital Arts Challenge's Grand Prize of $10,000 for her graphic novel, “The
GUARDians.” As part of her “Connection to Reality” prize, Alyssa had the
opportunity to visit Pearson's imaging plant to see how books are produced, to
see her book in print, and she was presented with her winning check by Donald
Seise, Pearson's Vice President, Central Imaging Services and BKFK CEO/Founder
Norm Goldstein.
The Digital Arts Challenge is a nationwide digital arts competition
created to recognize and reward exceptional young storytellers who make use of
digital technologies.
Alyssa created a graphic novel featuring five heroines who dance on their high
school's color guard squad but whose real job is to protect the President of the
United States. Lacking superpowers, they rely instead on brains, personality,
confidence, and hard work. “The GUARDians” features genuine role models for
“normal girls” to encourage them to get involved in something they love and work
hard at achieving success.
"I'm so excited to have won the BKFK Digital Arts Challenge!” said
Alyssa. “It was fun using digital art to create my graphic novel, combining
writing, drawing and my computer. I'm also really excited about my 'Connection
to Reality' prize, a trip to Pearson Publishing where I had an awesome
opportunity to see my book in print!"
“Alyssa created a knock-out story using digital technologies, drawing from her
real-life experience in the Color Guard,” said Norm Goldstein. “We congratulate
her on her success, and thank the Pearson Foundation for making this competition
possible.”
Mark Nieker, Pearson Foundation President, added, “Pearson is committed to
supporting the kind of 21st Century learning experiences that encourage young
people to use the technology that's already part of their everyday lives.
Alyssa's novel is a great example of how thoughtful students can be in telling
their stories with digital media and how interested these students are in
creating and publishing to a broad audience.”
“At Pearson, we're excited to see students, such as Alyssa, not only read for
enjoyment but embrace the ability to write and create using digital
technologies. We congratulate her on this great accomplishment,” said Don Seise.
BKFK's national competition, the Invent-A-Game Challenge, is sponsored by Best
Buy. The Grand Prize Winner of the Invent-A-Game Challenge will receive a
$10,000 U.S. Savings Bond, and the opportunity to have his or her video game
produced and distributed free for the world to play by Electronic Arts. Learn
more about these and other competition opportunities at:
http://www.bkfk.com/
About By Kids For Kids Co.
By Kids for Kids® (BKFK®) is a youth marketing and media company partnering with
the world's leading corporations to provide a platform to foster, share,
showcase, and commercialize youth innovation and entrepreneurship. Their mission
is to inspire, motivate and stimulate the innovative spirit within all young
people.
The closely held Stamford, CT-based Corporation has been dedicated to making
youth ideas a reality since 2003. Through its website (www.bkfk.com)
and its social community (Idea Locker™), online competitions, TV show (Think
Big™), Magazine (Possible™), press, and education outreach, the company engages
youth in the US and around the world. BKFK® youth-created products are available
nationally and serve as a testament to the power of youth innovation and social
entrepreneurship. More information about the company and its successes helping
young innovators is available online at
www.bkfk.com.
About the Pearson Foundation
The Pearson Foundation extends Pearson's (NYSE: PSO) commitment to education by
partnering with leading nonprofit, civic, and business organizations to provide
financial, organizational, and publishing assistance across the globe. The
Foundation aims to make a difference by sponsoring innovative educational
programs and extending its educational expertise to help in classrooms and in
local communities. More information on the Pearson Foundation can be found at
www.pearsonfoundation.org.
Contacts:
BKFK
John Forrester
323-702-3684
media@bkfk.com
Pearson Foundation
Adam Ray
adam.ray@pearsonfoundation.org
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