Volvo, Wyland Foundation and Disneynature's 'Oceans' Encourage Thousands of Students to Learn About Ocean Conservation during Earth Month
IRVINE, Calif. (April 29, 2010) - Volvo Cars of North America, LLC (VCNA), announced yesterday that Barry Hamilton's and Edie Genden's sixth grade classes from Mechanicsburg Middle School in Mechanicsburg, Penn., were named the grand prize winners of the OCEANS classroom mural contest it sponsored in partnership with the Wyland Foundation. The contest, inspired by Disneynature's film "Oceans," took place from Apr. 5 - Apr. 22 and drew more than 29,000 students across 39 states. Participating students painted 50 sq.-ft. murals depicting oceanographic scenery and marine life.
"We're amazed by the overwhelming level of interest in the contest and applaud the efforts of all of the students who participated," said Greg Hembrough, VCNA sales and marketing manager in the Western Region. "It made selecting a winner very difficult. Ultimately, we're very pleased so many kids received valuable information on how to make a difference in protecting the environment and hope they had fun in the process."
The grand prize winners will receive $1,500 worth of Frederix Artist Canvas, $500 for art supplies, a classroom set of tickets to see Disneynature's film "Oceans," and signed artwork by renowned marine life muralist Wyland. Taking second place in the contest was Ray Koch's seventh-grade art students from Kingston High School in Kingston, Ark. Deborah Thatcher's fifth grade art students from Lakeview Elementary in Cudahy, Wis., and Adriana Sandoval's art class at Miami Shores Community Center & Home Schoolers of Miami Enrichment in Miami, Fla. Tied for third.
About Volvo Cars of North America
Volvo Cars of North America, LLC, (www.volvocars.com/us) is a subsidiary of Volvo Car Corporation of Gothenburg, Sweden. VCNA provides marketing, sales, parts, service, technology and training support to Volvo automobile retailers in the United States, and oversees Volvo operations in Canada.
About Wyland
Best known for his gigantic "whale" murals in 80 cities in 17 countries, marine life artist Wyland has done more than any other artist to raise awareness of the beauty of life on our blue planet. His Wyland Foundation, in partnership with the Scripps Institution of Oceanography and the Ocean Institute of Dana Point, Calif., is actively engaged in teaching millions of students around engaged in teaching millions of students around our oceans, rivers, lakes, streams, and wetlands. His latest project, FOCUS (Forests, Oceans, Climate - and US) brings together the U.S. Forest Service, NOAA, the Wyland Foundation, numerous non-profits to teach young people about our forests and ocean - and how these two irreplaceable resources hold the key to the future of our water supplies, climate, and global health. For more information, visit http://www.wylandfoundation.org/.
About the Movie
Disneynature's film "Oceans" (www.disney.com/oceans) offers an unprecedented look beneath the sea in a powerful motion picture that is in theaters now.
Contact:
Wendi McAden, Volvo Cars of North America, wmcaden@volvocars.com, (310) 224-4960
