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By Kids For Kids (BKFK) Announces Statewide Winners
Of the 2008 Virginia Challenge
Teens in Virginia Win BKFK Statewide Competitions for
Innovative Creative Fashions and Eco-Friendly Products and Solutions
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| Left to Right:
Left to Right: Norman Goldstein – CEO, BKFK, Elizabeth
1st & 3rd Place Virginia Winner, Brianna 2nd Place Virginia
Winner, Daniel Gwartz – COO, BKFK |
Baltimore, MD (June 5, 2008) – By Kids For Kids (BKFK), the youth creativity
specialist, announced yesterday, at the Maryland Science Center, the statewide
winners of the 2008 Virginia Challenge Youth from across the state of Virginia
were challenged to enter their ideas in 4 categories: Going Green, Signature
Style, Sports Evolution and Digital Arts. The top entries across all 4
categories were honored at today's award ceremony.
In the Going Green and Signature Style categories, 12 year old Elizabeth Rintels won first and third place
distinctions. The Keswick resident won first place for her "Water Watcher"
invention. Realizing just how much water it took to take a shower Elizabeth
began seeking a way to enhance awareness of water usage. After learning that
reducing her shower time only by one minute would save approximately 1,000
gallons of water per year, she was driven to find a smarter way of utilizing
this valuable resource. As a result, Elizabeth created The Water Watcher, a
device that can be fastened to any faucet. It signals a red light and sounds a
beep every time a half-gallon of water is used.
Her Crane Purse design took the third place Virginia State honor for an
innovation in the Signature Style category. While passing the time folding paper
into paper cranes, Elizabeth conceived the idea of fashioning a purse in the
shape of the graceful paper bird she just made. To create her Crane Purse,
Elizabeth used a fabric stiffener to stiffen the material. She was then able to
fold this material into an origami crane. Pockets and straps were added to make
it a fully functioning sustainable fashion statement.
Brianna DeSouza received the second place distinction for her Signature Style
category entry with her Swimwear with Waterproof Pocket invention. The 11 year
old Virginia Beach resident created
her invention after going to the beach and realizing that she did not have any
safe place to store her personal belongings. She designed innovative swimwear
with built- in waterproof pockets that allowed the wearer to securely store
small personal items, such as cash, identification and keys. A waterproof pocket
can be sewn on the inside of a two- or one-piece bathing suit for girls and swim
trunks for boys.
Norman Goldstein, the Founder and CEO of BKFK commented: "I would like to
congratulate Elizabeth and Brianna for their outstanding creative achievements
in this Contest! We have enjoyed getting to know many talented youth and
educators in Virginia, and look forward to working with the state in the
future."
As the first and third place winner, Elizabeth Rintels was presented with a new
laptop and an mp3 player. As the second place winner, Brianna DeSouza won an
iPod Shuffle. Both winners from this Virginia competition are still eligible to
compete in the national versions of the competitions, where the grand prize
winners of each category will receive $10,000 and unique "connections to
reality." Presenting sponsors of the statewide competitions in Virginia include:
Edison Venture Fund, and The United Inventors Association (UIA), Participating
sponsors include: Thelen Reid Brown Raysman & Steiner LLP.
About By Kids For Kids Co.
By Kids for Kids® (BKFK®) is a youth marketing and media company partnering with
the worlds' 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. Thru 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
Media Contact: John Forrester
323-702-3684
media@bkfk.com
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