Fantasia Barrino Helps Reward Students for Their Dedication to Literacy and Education
12 September 2007 - 12:00PM
PR Newswire (US)
SUAVE(R) and DOLLAR GENERAL(R) Award College Scholarships to the
winners of the 'Suave Essay Contest' GREENWICH, Conn., Sept. 12
/PRNewswire/ -- The increasingly competitive job market in the
United States has made education and literacy more important than
ever. That is why beauty brand Suave(R) and Dollar General(R)
stores teamed up with American Idol winner, recording artist and
Broadway star Fantasia Barrino for the Fourth Annual "Suave Essay
Contest" to recognize students who are committed to education. Four
students stood out among thousands of entrants who submitted essays
describing their devotion to education and how their invaluable
mentors have helped them achieve success. The winners are Amanda
Codd, Towson, Md.; Nayala Smith, New York, N.Y.; Katelyn Baroody,
Bath, N.Y. and Jeremy Barrera-Gonzalez, Raymondville, Texas. The
four contest winners each receive scholarship money and a
once-in-a- lifetime trip to New York to meet Fantasia and see her
perform in the musical "The Color Purple." Having overcome her own
challenges with literacy, Fantasia Barrino is a true idol to both
children and adults. She has served as an inspiration to millions
who admire her courage. As an integral part of the "Suave Essay
Contest," Fantasia continues to help raise awareness of an
important, sometimes overlooked issue as well as build excitement
in students for learning and education. "I am so excited to be a
part of the Suave and Dollar General program and am thrilled that
so many students entered the contest," said Fantasia. "I hope that
more and more students realize the importance of bettering their
literacy skills in order to realize their dreams." GRAND PRIZE
WINNER Amanda Codd, age 18, from Towson, Md. attributes her
educational success to a special teacher who helped her rise to the
top in a subject area she feared she would fail. With the help and
support of this teacher, not only did Codd overcome her challenges
in math, she was also inducted into her school's chapter of the
National Math Honor Society. She plans to attend Villa Julie
College this fall. Education, according to Codd, "is important in
helping one succeed in life." FIRST PRIZE WINNERS Suave and Dollar
General awarded three students with a $5,000 scholarship. Nayala
Smith, age 12, from New York, N.Y. was inspired by her mother to
"mind travel" around the world through books. She believes that
through reading, she has been able to see the world and experience
many different adventures. Not only has literacy enriched her life,
but it helped her become a member of the honor roll at her school
and elicit an invitation to The National Congressional Youth
Leadership Council. Education is important to Smith because she
knows a good education will help her to fulfill her dreams. Katelyn
Baroody, age 14, from Bath, N.Y. believes that her mother paved the
road for her to enjoy a better life through education and learning.
By teaching her to reach for her goals and dream big, Baroody's mom
helped open many doors for her while giving her the knowledge she
needed to succeed. She currently attends Haverling Central High
School, enjoys expressing herself through music and plans to pursue
a Masters Degree in Music Education. Baroody was the recipient of
the 2007 President's Education Award and consistently achieves high
honor roll status. She believes that education gives you more
opportunities and more choices to do great things in life. Jeremy
Barrera-Gonzalez, age 19, from Raymondville, Texas, views his
mother as a hero and a true inspiration. While he once thought a
hero was merely a fictional character, he soon learned the true
meaning of a hero after watching his mother overcome such hardships
as abuse and cancer. He has been inspired by his mother, who is a
teacher, to use education as a tool to reach goals and move ahead
in life. Barrera-Gonzalez is currently studying to be a scientist
at Texas A&M Kingsville. According to Barrera-Gonzalez,
"education is the key to greatness." "Suave is proud to award
scholarships to the four winners of the 'Suave Essay Contest.' Each
of the winners displayed passion for and devotion to education and
we look forward to watching them continue to achieve great things
in their education and beyond," said Lisa Klauser, Vice President,
Unilever, Brand Building and Marketing Excellence. "As an ardent
supporter of education and a firm believer in the life- changing
impact it can have, Dollar General is pleased to be a part of the
'Suave Essay Contest' and help these deserving students pursue
their dreams of higher education," said Beryl Buley, division
president of merchandising, marketing and supply chain, Dollar
General. "We look forward to seeing these students succeed and hope
that one day they will inspire others to greatness just as their
role models have inspired them." About Suave Suave(R) offers more
than 300 personal care products including hair care,
anti-perspirants/deodorants, body washes, body bars and hand and
body lotions. Suave, a Unilever Home & Personal Care Brand, is
available nationwide in food, drug and mass outlet stores. In 2003,
an annual survey conducted by DSN Retailing Today named Suave
America's favorite health and beauty aid brand for the third year
in a row. Suave, a name that has been trusted for quality and value
for more than 60 years, is purchased by 61 percent of American
households each year. More than 18 Suave products are sold every
second. About Dollar General Dollar General is a leading discount
retailer with more than 8,000 neighborhood stores. Dollar General
stores offer convenience and value to customers by offering
consumable basic items that are frequently used and replenished,
such as food, snacks, health and beauty aids and cleaning supplies,
as well as a selection of basic apparel, housewares and seasonal
items at everyday low prices. The Company store support center is
located in Goodlettsville, Tennessee. Dollar General's Web site can
be reached at http://www.dollargeneral.com/. About Unilever
Unilever (NYSE:ULNYSE:UN), one of the world's largest consumer
products companies, aims to add vitality to life by meeting
everyday needs for nutrition, hygiene and personal care. Each day,
around the world, consumers make 160 million decisions to purchase
Unilever products. The company has a portfolio of brands that make
people feel good, look good and get more out of life. In the United
States these brands include recognized names such as: Axe, "all,"
Ben & Jerry's, Bertolli, Breyers, Caress, Country Crock,
Degree, Dove personal care products, Hellmann's, Knorr, Lipton,
Popsicle, Promise, Q-Tips, Skippy, Slim-Fast, Snuggle, Suave,
Sunsilk and Vaseline. All of the preceding brand names are
registered trademarks of the Unilever Group of Companies. Dedicated
to serving consumers and the communities where we live, work and
play, Unilever in the United States employs approximately 13,000
people in more than 60 office and manufacturing sites in 24 states
and Puerto Rico - generating nearly $10 billion in sales in 2006.
For more information, visit http://www.unileverusa.com/. Contact:
Donna Walter Weber Shandwick 212-445-8237 Stacie Bright Unilever
203-625-1130 Emily Weiss Dollar General 615-855-5210 DATASOURCE:
Suave CONTACT: Stacie Bright of Unilever, +1-203-625-1130, or , or
Emily Weiss of Dollar General, +1-615-855-5210, or , or Donna
Walter of Weber Shandwick, +1-212-445-8237, or , for Suave Web
site: http://www.unileverusa.com/ http://www.dollargeneral.com/
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