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May 09, 2006
GUARDIAN ANNOUNCES WINNERS OF NATIONAL GIRLS GOING PLACES® ENTREPRENEUR AWARD PROGRAM
More than $30,000 in Prizes Awarded to Teen Business Owners
New York, May 09, 2006 — The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America (Guardian) today announced the winners of its 2006 Girls Going Places® Scholarship Program, a national competition that recognizes and rewards teenaged girls who demonstrate exceptional entrepreneurship and community service. Fifteen winners were selected from more than 5,000 nominations from across the nation.
The national first place winner in the 2006 competition is Ionnie McNeill, 18, from Miami, Fl., who founded Speak 2 Share Inc., a financial advising business geared towards teaching youth about investing.
The national second and third place winners are, respectively, Becca Robison, 15, from Layton, UT, who founded Astrotots, a non-profit organization that runs space and science camps for young girls, and Brittany Bergquist, 15, from Norwell, MA, who founded Cell Phones for Soldiers, a non-profit organization that provides free cell phones and phone cards to soldiers.
Guardian has awarded the fifteen girls a total of $30,000 to be used toward their college education or their businesses. The first, second and third place winners received prizes of $10,000, $5,000 and $3,000, respectively, and 12 finalists were granted prizes of $1,000 each. Guardian representatives will award each girl her prize during a ceremony in her hometown.
"Now in our sixth year of the Girls Going Places program, we have seen thousands of nominations for extraordinary young women who excel as entrepreneurs," says Emily Viner, Field Vice President, Guardian, New York. "These young women are role models and an inspiration to both adults and youth alike. In our eyes, all of the Girls Going Places nominees are winners."
The 12 finalists in the 2006 Girls Going Places®Entrepreneurship Award Program are:
 | Amara Boursaw, 17, Stanwood, WA — launched wheelsinfocus.com, a sports photography website and business. |
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| Eunice Buhler, 16, Lake Forest, IL — founder of Cultures for Youth, a non-profit organization that teaches culture and acceptance. |
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| Elizabeth Mitchell, 17, Cherry Hill, NJ — founder and owner of Kewlizard LLC, maker of BUNny, a magnetized hair-pin collector for dancers. |
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| Joanna Molesky-Poz, 18, Berkeley, CA — director and co-founder of En Pointe Youth Dance Company. |
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| Ashley Nelson, 16, Arlington, TX — founder and owner of AMN Designs, a website development and design company. |
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| Cherish Parrish, 16, Wayland, MI — opened ArtCove, an art gallery featuring her art, "Native Arts by Nebeshanze." |
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| Katie Radosevic, 15, Cornville, AZ — owner of Two Bob Ranch Caprine Dairy, maker of Bea's Beauty BarTM, goat milk soap products. |
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| Laura Riley, 17, College Park, GA — opened My Girl Boutique, a trendy clothing and accessories store. |
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| Jordan Schwartz, 12, Marietta, GA — founder of The Children's Bilingual Theater, a bilingual community theater program. |
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| Keela Shatzkin, 18, Croton-on-Hudson, NY — founder and owner of Man About Town's Girl, a construction and repair business. |
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| Lizzy Solomon, 12, Nashville, TN — founder and owner of Lizzy's Lines, a greeting card company that features note cards for children with disabilities. |
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| Ajaya Williams, 18, Bellflower, CA — founder of AJ KUSTOMZ, a designer clothing line. |
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Added Viner, "Girl's Going Places is part of Guardian's ongoing commitment to enrich the lives of the communities that we serve. Girls Going Places is one of many programs that we have developed to help women and teen business owners learn about the opportunities available to them through mentorship, educational and community-based programs."
Guardian created the annual Girls Going Places® program to recognize and reward entrepreneurial and community-minded girls between the ages of 12 and 18. Adults are asked to nominate girls — who could be their daughter, niece, neighbor or student — by submitting a 750 to 1000-word essay on why the nominee deserves a Girls Going Places® award. A panel of judges reviews the essays and picks finalists. This year's judges were Lisa Kaiser Hickey, Vice President, Corp & Economic Dev., National Association of Women Business Owners and President & CEO, Douglass Screen Printers, Inc; Ann T. Kearney, Vice President, Individual Markets, Guardian; Amy S. Oshinsky, CLU, ChFC, Vice President, Strategy and Planning, Guardian; Kathy Readinger, Director, Strategic Alliances, Guardian; Dan Regelski, Executive Director, Small Business Development Center, Florida Coast University; and Emily Viner, Field Vice President, Agency, Leadership and Practice Development.
About Guardian
Founded in 1860, The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, New York, NY (Guardian) is the fourth largest mutual life insurance company in the United States. As of December 31, 2005, Guardian and its subsidiaries had $40.7 billion in assets. With more than 5,000 employees and 2,980 financial representatives, as well as over 85 agencies nationwide, Guardian and its subsidiaries protect individuals, businesses and their employees with life, disability, health, long-term care and dental insurance products, and offer 401(k), financial products and trust services. More information about Guardian can be obtained at: www.guardianlife.com
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