3 Santa Monica Boys & Girls Club Members Awarded Top Prizes for Creative Jeep Videos

Santa Monica, Calif., June 25, 2012 – “What would you do in this big world if you could do anything you wanted?” Jeep asked this question to more than 4 million kids across the United States for their “Dream Adventure” contest, in partnership with BGCA. “Boys & Girls Clubs of America believes in providing hope and opportunity for youth, and this contest is perfect way to show our members that you can be rewarded for dreaming big,” said Judith J. Pickens, Senior Vice President, Program & Youth Development Services for Boys & Girls Clubs of America. “Fostering high expectations and cultivating the creativity of Club members is one of our top priorities and our Club professionals work diligently to ensure that our Clubs remain a fun and creative space for our youth.”
 
To enter the contest, young people ages 6-12 shared illustrations and members ages 13-18 submitted 60-second videos depicting their ideal Dream Adventure. Four winners were selected from each age group based on the criteria of creativity, visual impact and compelling title. Three of the winners for the 13-18 age group are our members of the Santa Monica Boys & Girls Clubs. The names of the 3 winners from SMBGC are Brittney K., Sabrina G. & Mariah V.; we congratulate them for their outstanding work. View the video they submitted here.

The winners will receive prizes to enjoy with friends, family & fellow Boys & Girls Club members along with an adventurous day including inspirational guest speakers, games, food and more. “Like the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, the Jeep brand believes it is essential to encourage today’s youth - our future leaders - to dream out loud; and that with commitment and determination there is possibility,” said Mike Manley, President and CEO - Jeep Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. “The Jeep brand is proud of all the participants who submitted entries and we congratulate all of the grand prize winners as well as the clubs who will enjoy the Jeep-themed events on behalf of their winner.”  

Grand prize winners from the 6-12 age category were:

• Mia Callaham, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Alma Area – Ray & Bernice Williams Unit; Alma, AR
• Mikayla Lillard, Boys & Girls Clubs of Indianapolis – Lilly Club; Indianapolis, IN
• Jeremiah McDaniel, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Blue Ridge – Sanville Unit; Bassett, VA
• Jocelyn Phillips, Beale Air Force Base Youth Center; Yuba, CA

Grand prize winners from the 13-18 age category were:

• Mireline Thermidor, Boys & Girls Clubs of Middlesex County – Everett Club, Everett, MA
• Emanuel Barber, Union League Boys & Girls Clubs – Miguel A. Barreto Club; Chicago, IL
• Brittney Kinnear, Sabrina Gannette, Miriah Van Putten; Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Monica – J.A.M.S. Branch; Santa Monica, CA
• Olivia Clay, Alexander Totman, Asha Urben, Nathan Butler; Boys & Girls Clubs of West-Central Wisconsin –Baraboo/Saulk County Unit; Baraboo, WI

The contest’s call for entries was made on April 25, 2012, and the submission period concluded on May 23, 2012. Finalists were selected by a panel of judges from Boys & Girls Clubs of America. The final choice among the top ten finalists was made by a panel of Jeep brand judges.

 
About The Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Monica
Founded in 1944, Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Monica currently serves approximately 7,000 youth through memberships and community outreach.  They come from all over Los Angeles County, largely from Santa Monica, Venice, West Los Angeles and Inglewood.  Members pay a $20 annual fee for access to all Club amenities and programs that span across education, leadership, recreation and more.  The Club operates with the objective of serving children from all backgrounds, regardless of economic circumstances – ensuring that youth ages 7 to 18 have a safe and nurturing environment to develop socially, succeed in school, stay physically active and prepare for positive futures.  For more information, visit us at www.begreatsantamonica.org, or follow us on Facebook (facebook.com/smbgcfan) and Twitter (twitter.com/SMBGC).