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May 14, 2007
GIRLS GOING PLACES ENTREPRENEURSHIP AWARD WINNERS
More than $30,000 in Prizes Awarded to Teen Business Owners
NEW YORK, May 14, 2007 — The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America (Guardian) today announced the winners of its 2007 Girls Going Places® Entrepreneurship Award Program, a national competition that recognizes and rewards teenaged girls who demonstrate exceptional entrepreneurship and community service. Fifteen winners were selected from more than 4000 nominations across the nation.
The national first place winner in the 2007 competition is Stephanie Brown, 18, from Centerport, N.Y., who founded Oakwood Universal 1, Ohio's first student-run high school credit union.
The national second and third place winners are Jasmine Lawrence, 15, from Williamstown, N.J., who founded Eden BodyWorks, a line of all natural hair care products, and Jillian Brown, 17, from Orlean, VA, who established a summer mini-camp program that integrates activities and themes from the popular American Girl Doll Collection®
Guardian will award 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 will receive prizes of $10,000, $5,000 and $3,000, respectively, and the 12 finalists are granted prizes of $1,000 each. This year's national first place winner was honored at Guardian's 2007 Leaders Club Conference in Boca Raton, FL.
"Now in our seventh year of the Girls Going Places program, we have seen thousands of nominations for extraordinary young entrepreneurs across the country," said Emily Viner, Field Vice President, Guardian, New York. "These nominees are an inspiration to all women and young business owners."
The 12 finalists in the 2007 Girls Going Places® Entrepreneurship Award Program are:
 | Chantell Bury, 16, Glendive, MT — director and co-founder of Makoshika Dinosaur Museum and Paleokids, a program dedicated to educating youth on the local paleo-environment. |
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| Nora Faulkner, 14, Boise, ID — founder of Musician Connections, a business linking event planners to local student and professional musicians. |
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| Shay Hammond, 14, Olive Hill, KY — founder and owner of Shay's Bones & Biscuits, manufacturer and distributor of homemade dog treats. |
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| Khali Jones, 16, Atlanta, GA — proprietor of Khali's Kennel, an in-house pet sitting service. |
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| Rachel Lambin, 16, Gardnerville, NV — director and founder of HOPE, Helping Obese People with Education, a series of seminars and literature on nutrition, exercise and self-esteem for overweight youths. |
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| Hope McFarland, 17, Keithville, LA — owner of Keithville Cowgirl, a children's entertainment company. |
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| Jovana Mirabile, 17, Leawood, KS — founder of Beauty Queen for a Day, a charity funded program offering makeovers and inspirational words to abused teenagers. |
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| Elissa Ouchida, 17, Sacramento, CA — owner and managing partner of La Saint- Valentin (LSV), an online business offering holiday gifts. |
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| Cassandra Saba, 16, Chandler, AZ — founder and owner of Sassy Cassy, a designer jewelry line. |
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| Ariane Tom, 17, Riverside, CA — founder of ScienceSmart, a youth-driven service program introducing underprivileged preschoolers to science. |
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| Lindsay Webber, 17, Winter Park, Fl. — director and founder of Love.Hope.Serenity., a line of custom designed accessories and clothing. |
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| Brooklyn R. Young, 17, Columbus, OH — founder and designer of Big Baby Clothing LLC, a line of custom screen-printed and embroidered apparel. |
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Added Viner, "Girls Going Places program is one of many programs that Guardian has developed to help women and teen business owners learn about the opportunities available and exercise their financial independence."
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 Joan Bancroft, President of Berkshire Life Insurance Company of America, Guardian; Mindi Hedges, President & CEO of Media Solution, Inc. and Incoming President of NAWBO-Columbus Chapter; Katherine H. Readinger, Second Vice President, Marketing, Technology and Product Services, Guardian; Dan Regelski, Executive Director, Small Business Development Center, Florida Gulf Coast University; and Emily G. Viner, Field Vice President, Agency, Leadership and Practice Development, Guardian.
For more information please contact your local Guardian Group Representative or log on to www.GuardianLife.com to find a representative near you.
About Guardian
Founded in 1860, The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, New York, NY (Guardian) is one of the largest mutual life insurance companies in the United States. As of December 31, 2006, Guardian and its subsidiaries had $39.5 billion in assets (on a consolidated statutory basis). With more than 5,000 employees and 3,000 financial representatives, as well as more than 80 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), annuities and other financial products and trust services. More information about Guardian can be obtained at: www.guardianlife.com.
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