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May 5, 2005
GUARDIAN LIFE INSURANCE ANNOUNCES WINNERS OF FIFTH ANNUAL GIRLS GOING PLACES® SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
NEW YORK, N.Y., May 5, 2005 — The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America (Guardian) announced today that it has selected 15 outstanding girls as winners and finalists in its 2005 Girls Going Places® Scholarship Program, a national competition that recognizes and rewards teen-aged girls who demonstrate exceptional entrepreneurship.
Selected from more than 4,600 nominations, this year's winners come from all corners of the United States. The young entrepreneurs, ranging in age from 15 to 18, are being recognized for their business achievements and community service.
Guardian has awarded the 15 girls a total of $30,000 to be used toward their college education. The first, second and third place winners received scholarship prizes of $10,000, $5,000 and $3,000, respectively, and 12 finalists were granted prizes of $1,000 each. Each girl will be awarded her prize during a ceremony in her hometown with Guardian representatives.
"Now in our fifth year of the Girls Going Places® program, we have seen thousands of nominations for extraordinary young women who excel as entrepreneurs," says Emily Viner, Director of Agency, Leadership and Practice Development, Individual Markets, Guardian, New York. "We are absolutely thrilled with the 2005 winners. At such a young age, they are already contributing to the $2.5 trillion in sales that female entrepreneurs are generating in the United States."1
The National First Place winner in the 2005 competition is Chauncey Holloman, 17, from Mabelvale, Ark., who founded Harlem Lyrics Enterprises Ltd, a greeting card and merchandising business. The National Second and Third Place winners are Dallas Woodburn, 18, from Ventura, Calif., founder of Write On!, an organization that fights illiteracy, and Andrea Pimental, 17, from Dallas, Texas, who started Hermandad Latina, a monthly publication for non-English speaking Hispanics.
The 12 finalists in the 2005 Girls Going Places® Scholarship Program are:
 | Cassidy Goldstein, 18, Scarsdale, New York. — invented the By Kids For Kids Crayon Holder |
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| Keisha McDaniel, 18, Las Vegas, Nevada — established Pretty Tomboy® |
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| Katie Melton, 18, Warren, Oregon. — developed Melton's Mooseletter to market auction-bound steers |
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| Taylor Moore, 16, Chicago, Illinois — established Taylor Moore Inspirational Speaking |
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| Autumn Robertson, 15, Brentwood, Tennessee — established Autumn's Towel & Apron Service |
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| Vanessa Rocca, 18, Wexford, Pennsylvania — established Video Media Recordings, which specializes in producing videos for college-bound gymnasts |
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| Bansi Shah, 17, Napervilie, Illinois — founded the A&B Dance Academy |
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| Natasha Spedalle, 15, Astoria, New York — founded BliNg-BliNg Discount Fashion Jewelry |
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| Christen Wooley, 18, Live Oak, Florida — invented the Vestpak backpack |
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| Amanda Woosley, 18, Austin, Texas — professional harpist and founder of Amanda Lyn Academy of Dance |
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| Julie Weddle, 17, Emory, Texas — founded Eagle Country Cloggers |
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| Kristen Zwit, 18, Keller, Texas — founded Kristen's School of Dance |
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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 Joanne Mack, President of Park Avenue Securities, Guardian; Janice Donaldson, Executive Director, Small Business Development Center, University of North Florida; Beverly Inman-Ebel, President of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO); and Diane Dixon, President, Women in Insurance and Financial Services (WIFS).
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, 2004, Guardian and its subsidiaries had $39.5 billion in assets. With more than 5,000 employees and 2,900 financial representatives, as well as over 80 agencies nationwide, Guardian and its subsidiaries protect individuals, businesses and their employees with life, disability, health 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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