CHICAGO, Oct. 8, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Mini Babybel® announced today that 8-year-old Gabriella Campanario and her father Agostinho Campanario of Issaquah, WA, have been selected as the grand-prize winners in Babybel's Big Dreamers Contest. The family will be awarded a $50,000 scholarship** to help Gabriella Campanario achieve her big dream of becoming a professional artist. Mini Babybel also will donate a total of $50,000 to further inspire and support big dreams for kids and teens, with $25,000 going to Boys & Girls Club of America (BCGA) and $25,000 going to the Campanarios' local Boys & Girls Club of Bellevue in Bellevue, Washington.
Through Babybel's Big Dreamers Contest, the little cheese with big taste sought to celebrate the epic aspirations in all of us by showcasing the big things kids want to be when they grow up and what their parents wanted to be when they were little. Out of hundreds of submissions on Facebook, three finalists were chosen, brought to Chicago, home to the brand's U.S. corporate headquarters, and introduced to star role models in the kids' dream professions.
Gabriella Campanario aspires to be an artist and one day have her paintings hang in galleries and museums. During her time in Chicago, Mini Babybel introduced her to the "it-girl illustrator," Dallas Shaw. Shaw is known for her work in publications such as, Lucky Magazine, Brides, Gotham, WWD, and Elle Décor, as well as her work with New York-based fashion house DKNY and on her Instagram page. With no shortage of colorful paint and sparkles, Shaw gave Campanario a hands-on art lesson while sharing tips on becoming a successful professional artist. Campanario's artwork was put on display at Mars Gallery during a Big Dreamers event in Chicago.
"I couldn't be more thrilled for Gabriella. At a young age she already has tremendous creativity and an amazing sense of personal style, and she reminds me that we should never stop dreaming big," said Shaw. "I wanted to get involved because I know what it feels like to have big dreams and how much it means to have someone to look up to. Now Gabriella has the opportunity to make her dreams come to life, and I'm so glad I got to be a part of her journey."
"Ella has always been a big dreamer, and I'm over the moon that she can look up to Dallas as a mentor," said Agostinho Campanario. "We were so grateful to have spent time with Dallas in Chicago. Now Ella has a great role model and a new friend. We so look forward to watching Gabriella's biggest dreams come to life even further as she grows up."
Mini Babybel also will award $5,000 scholarships to the two contest runners-up, 11-year-old Dylan Myers and his mother Misty Myers of Cartersville, Virginia, and 12-year-old Cleopatra Tacan-Regan and her mother Marigene Tacan-Regan of Stockton, California. While in Chicago, Dylan Myers, whose dream is to play football for the University of Alabama Crimson Tide, was given the chance to meet his role model, professional football player and former University of Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron, for a one-on-one training session.
"I always tell kids to dream big and to chase those dreams," said McCarron. "Dylan really inspired me during our time together in Chicago. If you're not going to dream big then what's the point of dreaming at all?"
Aspiring dancer and singer Cleopatra Tacan-Regan met actress and dancer, Julianne Hough, who choreographed a special routine for her to learn and practice during their time together.
"When I was younger I had big dreams, too," said Hough. "I've been so fortunate in my career that I can inspire young girls and boys to shoot for the stars, and I'm thankful that Babybel has given me the chance to do just that."
From September 7-25, 2015, Mini Babybel gave its fans the chance to view videos of the finalists' experiences with their role models and to vote via Facebook for the grand-prize winner. For each vote cast, voters were entered into a sweepstakes for a chance to win a year's supply of Mini Babybel cheese. Mini Babybel also pledged to make a $1 donation to BGCA for each vote, up to $50,000.
"Boys & Girls Clubs of America has supported great futures for millions of kids and teens for more than 100 years," said Jim Clark, president & CEO of BGCA. "Thanks to this donation from Mini Babybel, we will continue to provide resources and tools for the more than 4 million young people that attend our Clubs each year to reach their full potential and ignite passions to follow big dreams."
Babybel's Big Dreamers Contest was one of the brand's biggest initiatives this year, according to Dan Waters, chief marketing officer of Bel Brands USA, makers of Mini Babybel cheeses.
"We're really focused on the whole family in all that we do, so we're pleased to play a role in making some big dreams come true for these great kids and their families. We're thankful to have such positive support from our role models, AJ McCarron, Julianne Hough and Dallas Shaw, as well as from Boys & Girls Clubs of America. We can't wait to see what the future brings not just for our Big Dreamers contestants, but all of the big dreamers out there."
Mini Babybel is a fun and convenient 100 percent natural cheese with a rich and creamy taste that all ages adore. Each serving of Mini Babybel delivers a good source of protein and calcium*, making it the perfect choice for packed lunches or snack time for the whole family. This individually portioned cheese creates a one-of-a-kind snacking experience every time its red wax is peeled open.
About Bel Brands USA: Known for their unique red wax packaging and deliciously rich and creamy cheeses, Mini Babybel® cheese is one of the most popular brands owned by Bel Brands USA Inc, a subsidiary of Fromageries Bel. A family-owned cheese maker headquartered in Paris, France, Fromageries Bel produces more than thirty local and international cheese brands that are sold in more than 120 countries around the globe. In addition to Mini Babybel®, other USA favorites include The Laughing Cow® Spreadable Cheese Wedges as well as Boursin®, Kaukauna® and WisPride® cheeses.
About Boys & Girls Clubs of America For more than 100 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (GreatFutures.org) has enabled young people most in need to achieve great futures as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Today, more than 4,100 Clubs serve nearly 4 million young people through Club membership and community outreach. Clubs are located in cities, towns, public housing and on Native lands throughout the country, and serve military families in BGCA-affiliated Youth Centers on U.S. military installations worldwide. They provide a safe place, caring adult mentors, fun and friendship, and high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis during critical non-school hours. Club programs promote academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. In a Nielsen Survey of alumni, 54 percent said the Club saved their lives. National headquarters are located in Atlanta. Learn more at Facebook and Twitter.
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