OC Student Selected As Finalist For $25K Scholarship Contest

ORANGE COUNTY, CA — An Orange County student is excelling above the rest after Cox Communications announced 22 finalists of its nationwide phone case design competition.

The contest, which celebrates and expands Cox's longstanding partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America, encouraged teens to submit a phone case design for the chance to win a $25,000 scholarship.

Sofia C., of Orange County, was recognized as one of the 22 finalists in the competition, representing the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast.

Sofia's design highlights the interconnectivity between people, nature and the world around us.

"We are one because even though we may think that we're separated, we're all humans, living on this earth," Sofia told Patch. "Even when life may seem bleak, we're able to find comfort in the communities we're able to create with new technology."

Sofia told Patch that entering the contest was outside of her comfort zone.

"I entered this contest because I wanted to challenge myself to accomplish something that was outside of my comfort zone," she said. "I didn't have much confidence in my digital drawing skills, but in the end, I felt proud of myself for coming up with a final product that I really liked and felt good about submitting."

All finalists will receive a tech package valued at over $500. The grand prize winner, which will be announced this spring, will receive a $25,000 scholarship.

In addition, the grand prize winner’s Boys & Girls Club will receive a $25,000 Cox Innovation Lab grant to provide local members with the tools and technology they need to succeed.

Later this year, OtterBox, Cox Mobile’s exclusive phone case partner for this campaign, will manufacture and sell a phone case featuring the winning design. It will be available online and in Cox retail stores, with proceeds benefitting Boys & Girls Clubs of America.