Pearson Foundation and By Kids For Kids Announce Digital Arts Challenge Winner

11 March 2009

Alyssa Hansen, 15, of Irvine, CA wins $10,000 Grand Prize for Graphic Novel

Stamford, CT – March 11 – 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 witness firsthand how books are produced and see her own book in print; and she was presented with her Grand Prize 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 knockout 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 www.bkfk.com.

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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 U.S. 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.

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Contacts

BKFK
John Forrester
323-702-3684

Pearson Foundation
Adam Ray