Bright House Networks Announces Grand Prize Winner in Bright Ideas STEM from Today's Youth Competition

ORLANDO, Fla., March 4, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Bright House Networks has named Hannah Verma from Orlando, Florida the Grand Prize winner in its 2016 Bright Ideas STEM from Today's Youth competition.

This multistate competition, now in its second year, challenges high school students to dream up inventions to make our world a better place. To qualify, students must show how science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) can bring their ideas to life.

Hannah Verma, from Lake Highland Preparatory School in Orlando, took home the Grand Prize for her Bright Idea, Verma Hygiene Mister, which offers a fresh take on the hand sanitizer, saving hospitals time and money, while also reducing the spread of diseases. Hannah came up with her Bright Idea while working as a summer intern in the Infection Control Department of a local hospital.

Hannah and four other finalists from across the country competed head-to-head on TV in front of a studio audience at the Finalist Pitch Event, March 2, in Orlando, Florida. The event was recorded for future viewing on Video on Demand on Bright House Networks. Finalists won over the audience and the esteemed panel of judges with their passion for STEM and the wide-ranging scope of their Bright Ideas.

All finalists received an all-expense-paid trip to Orlando, where they enjoyed a full schedule of educational excursions there as well as coaching and mentoring from noted STEM experts, business leaders and innovation firms.

The finalists' projects were selected from entries submitted by 165 teen innovators in Bright House Networks service areas nationwide. A total of 168 businesses and nonprofits pitched in to promote the competition, and educators and school administrators took the lead in encouraging students to participate. Entries featured innovative ways to solve many of their communities' and the world's most pressing challenges, from keeping our food and water safe, treating pain, fighting disease and preventing sports injuries to paying for college, finding jobs, protecting endangered species, making our roads safer and more. 

As the Grand Prize winner, Hannah will now have the chance to work with product and technology innovation firm Astralis Group to build a virtual prototype and business plan. Together, they will work through the process that may ultimately bring her Bright Idea to life.

"This competition encourages our next generation of leaders, inventors and entrepreneurs to take their ideas to the next level," said Kimberly Maki, corporate vice president, corporate communications and public relations, Bright House Networks. "Our goal is to see young innovators' dreams become realities that help their communities thrive now and well into the future.

"STEM offers tools to address many of the world's biggest challenges," Maki continued. "This year's competition was extremely close. Congratulations to Hannah, our finalists and all participating students across the country who rose to our challenge to change the world with the power of their bright ideas."

About Bright House Networks 

Bright House Networks is the sixth largest owner and operator of cable systems in the U.S. and the second largest in Florida, with technologically advanced systems located in five states including Florida, Alabama, Indiana, Michigan and California and two of the top 20 DMAs. Bright House Networks serves approximately 2.5 million customers who subscribe to one or more of its video, high-speed data, home security and automation and voice services. Bright House Networks Business Solutions offers a strong portfolio of video, voice, data, and cloud-based solutions to the small and medium business segments. In addition, Bright House Networks Enterprise Solutions provides advanced, fiber-based telecommunication services to key industry verticals in the mid-market and carrier segments, including cloud-based hosted voice, managed security, and cell backhaul to wireless carriers. The company was recently re-certified as a Cisco® Master Service Provider under the Cisco Cloud and Managed Service Program, and was the first cable operator in the United States to achieve this designation. Bright House Networks also owns and operates exclusive, award-winning, local news and sports channels in its Florida markets. For more information about Bright House Networks, or our products and services, visit brighthouse.com.

SOURCE Bright House Networks

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