Students Pour on the Creativity in Heinz Ketchup Contest

Young artists from across the country are close to having their brush with fame as the next designers of limited edition Heinz^® Ketchup packets. Pop artist Burton Morris and a panel of judges have narrowed the field to 36 finalists out of a record-topping 45,000 entries in the Heinz Ketchup Creativity™ Contest. Now, America is invited to vote for their favorite designs at www.KetchupCreativity.com until March 25. The winners will be announced in April.

"From coast to coast, students certainly have illustrated their love of Heinz Ketchup,” said artist Burton Morris. "It’s been an honor to be part of this contest — and very difficult to choose only 36 finalists among so many talented young artists.”

"We’re thrilled with the number of entries in this year’s contest,” said Laura Reiser, associate brand manager for Heinz Ketchup. "The outpouring of entries demonstrates the passion that so many have for America’s Favorite Ketchup^®, and now it’s up to America to vote for their favorites.”

And the Finalists are: Top Three in Each Grade Selected

First Grade

• Summer Gray, Lake Country Christian School, Sand Springs, Okla.
• Ellen Casey, Rowan Elementary School, Cranberry, Pa.
• Nia-Isabella Garza, Hudson Elementary School, Brownsville, Texas

Second Grade

• Marcela Salinas, St. Mary's Catholic School, Brownsville, Texas
• Colleen Lassa, Pittsville Elementary School, Pittsville, Wis.
• Addison Nothnagel, Brush Creek Elementary School, Eagle, Colo.

Third Grade

• Kenli Seaman, Baldwin Lane Elementary School, Big Bear Lake, Calif.
• Julia Kilroy, St. Brendan School, North Olmsted, Ohio
• London Lovallo, Riverside Elementary School West, Taylor, Pa.

Fourth Grade

• Elizabeth Garza, Hudson Elementary School, Brownsville, Texas
• Molly Rollman, Holland Elementary School, Satellite Beach, Fla.
• Lauren Lum, Townline Elementary School, Vernon Hills, Ill.

Fifth Grade

• Anna Garrett, KLD Youth Foundation, Merritt Island, Fla.
• Melissa Rueda, P.S. 20, Q., Flushing, N.Y.
• Tyler Ligon, 107th Street Elementary School, Los Angeles, Calif.

Sixth Grade

• Sarah Ross, Newington Forest Elementary School, Springfield, Va.
• Sarah Wilkening, Russell Middle School, Omaha, Neb.
• Cayla Green, Friedman Middle School, Taunton, Mass.

Seventh Grade

• Anthony Carrillo, Stillman Middle School, Brownsville, Texas
• Madeleine Layton, Antioch Middle School, Overland Park, Kan.
• Miguel A. Olalde, Lucio Middle School, Brownsville, Texas

Eighth Grade

• Kerri Silbaugh, Monart School of Art, Avella, Pa.
• Marlon Levy-Faigen, Jamesville-Dewitt Middle School, Jamesville, N.Y.
• Leevelle Ben, William J. Clark Middle School, Orangeburg, S.C.

Ninth Grade

• Avery Papalouca, Ohio County High School, Hartford, Ky.
• Tanner Seidel, Lincoln Northeast High School, Lincoln, Neb.
• Tiana Buckner, Elgin High School, Elgin, Okla.

Tenth Grade

• Kevin Wilhite, St. Charles West High School, St. Charles, Mo.
• Jose Escobar, Hialeah-Miami Lakes Senior High School, Hialeah, Fla.
• Nathan Doverspike, Highlands High School, Natrona Heights, Pa.

Eleventh Grade

• Charlene Lee, John P. Stevens High School, Edison, N.J.
• Zach Brown, DRS High School for Boys, Woodmere, N.Y.
• Lindsey Freeman, West Shore Junior/Senior High School, Melbourne, Fla.

Twelfth Grade

• Peter Yankowsky, Platte County R-3 High School, Platte City, Mo.
• Andrew Morejon, New Rochelle High School, New Rochelle, N.Y.
• Bailey Smith, Byron P. Steele II High School, Cibolo, Texas

Each of the 12 winners’ artwork will be reproduced on approximately 20 million Heinz Ketchup packets — more than 200 million packets combined — and displayed in the Winners’ Gallery on www.KetchupCreativity.com. The 12 winners also will receive a $1,000 cash prize while their schools receive $1,000 toward art supplies, a poster of the winning design and $1,000 worth of Heinz Ketchup.

About Heinz
H. J. Heinz Company, offering "Good Food Every Day,”™ is one of the world’s leading marketers and producers of healthy, convenient and affordable foods specializing in ketchup, sauces, meals, soups, snacks and infant nutrition. Heinz provides superior quality, taste and nutrition for all eating occasions whether in the home, restaurants, the office or "on-the-go.” Heinz is a global family of leading branded products, including Heinz® Ketchup, sauces, soups, beans, pasta and infant foods (representing over one third of Heinz’s total sales), Ore-Ida® potato products, Weight Watchers® Smart Ones® entrees, Boston Market® meals, T.G.I. Friday’s® snacks, and Plasmon infant nutrition. Heinz is famous for its iconic brands on five continents, showcased by Heinz® Ketchup, The World’s Favorite Ketchup®. Information on Heinz is available at www.heinz.com.

About Burton Morris
A proponent of art education, Burton Morris credits his teachers and parents for encouraging him to pursue his passion and career as an artist. The Pittsburgh native earned his degree in fine arts from Carnegie Mellon University. He gained national attention when his art was chosen to hang on the set of the hit sitcom, Friends. Known for creating high-energy, fun pieces, Burton Morris original artwork is featured in collections around the world. The artist draws his inspiration from pop culture, like the iconic Heinz® Ketchup bottle, which he says he grew up with. Information on Burton Morris is available on the Heinz Ketchup Creativity™ Web site at www.KetchupCreativity.com/meet.aspx.