The (Monessen) Valley Independent, Jan. 23

Contest seeking pet 'superstars' helps Valley Independent NIE program

By Stacy Wolford

Is your pet the most adorable in the Mid-Mon Valley?

Pet lovers now have the opportunity to show off their furry friends and help The Valley Independent's Newspapers in Education program by participating in the "2008 Pet Superstar" contest.

NIE is a proven program that brings newspapers into Valley classrooms as an educational tool.

Each week, 11,000 students from the Valley benefit from the NIE program. Those who support the NIE program provide newspapers for students in the Belle Vernon Area, California Area, Charleroi Area, Elizabeth-Forward, Frazier, Monessen and Ringgold school districts.

The NIE program also provides The Valley Independent to adult and youth programs through the General Equivalency Diploma Remedial program, Community Action Southwest and Mon Valley Academy.

The newspapers are also used as job training tools.

Entering the contest is easy.

Participants can look for the entry form in The Valley Independent or enter via our website at www.valleyindependent.com/petsuperstar.

Photos of your beloved pets and the entry forms can be downloaded via the website.

Color or black-and-white photos of your pets can be mailed or dropped off, along with a completed entry form and a $10 donation to The Valley Independent, Pet Superstar, Eastgate 19, Monessen, Pa. 15062.

Donations are to be made payable to "Valley Independent NIE."

Valley Independent readers will cast their votes for their favorite pet photos by ballots made available in the newspaper or in our main lobby.

The first-place prize package will be valued at $250, second place will be worth $100 and the third place package will be worth $50.

The contest will consist of three voting rounds.

The first round will begin Feb. 11 and voting will end at 4:30 p.m. Feb. 22.

Round two will consist of voting for the top vote getters and begin on March 4 through 4:30 p.m. March 14.

The top vote getters from that round will move on to round three.

Voting for round three will begin March 18 and end at 4:30 p.m. March 28.

Winners will be announced April 8.

All of the participants will be recognized in the "NIE thank you" advertisement that will be published in the newspaper's Young Voices section.

The Valley Independent's Young Voices section is dedicated to helping high school and budding journalists at California University of Pennsylvania showcase their writing talents.

The NIE program relies on the support of corporate and local sponsors.

To donate to the NIE program, contact Assistant Circulation Director Lori Byron at (724) 684-2644 or e-mail her at lbyron@tribweb.com.

[BACK TO HEADLINES & DEADLINES HOME PAGE]