The California Museum & Comcast Announce 2010 Dreamers Challenge Scholarship Winners: Sarah Nicole Williams & Thomas Anderson Keller

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Dec. 1, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- The California Museum, home of the California Hall of Fame, partnered with Comcast to challenge California high school seniors to tell us how their dream would leave a lasting mark on the state, nation and the world at large.

Seeking out California's next generation of trailblazers like Walt Disney, Cesar Chavez and Alice Walker, the Dreamers Challenge Scholarship asked students to think creatively by submitting paintings, poems, video productions, music, essays or whatever format that allowed them to best answer the challenge in their own distinct voice.  In response, The California Museum received 203 thought-provoking, imaginative entries from all over the state and a diverse group of students.

The Northern California Grand Prize winner is 17-year-old Sarah Nicole Williams of Pleasanton.  Sarah is a senior at Amador Valley High School who will be graduating this spring.  Her heartfelt essay detailed the successful implementation of a program to provide California's foster care children with a bit of Christmas comfort and was entitled, "A Blanket of Their Own."

The Southern California Grand Prize winner is 17-year-old Thomas Anderson Keller of El Cajon.  Thomas is a senior at Granite Hills High School and plans to attend MIT in the fall of 2011.  His inspiring essay recounted his personal mission to encourage students to excel in math and science courses and was entitled, "Where Have All the Students Gone?"

Both Sarah and Thomas, along with a parental guardian, will receive airfare and accommodations to accept their awards at a press conference with First Lady Maria Shriver before the 2010 California Hall of Fame induction ceremony at The California Museum, located at 1020 O Street in Sacramento, on Tuesday, December 14, 2010, at 4:15 p.m.

"Comcast is proud to once again aid the mission of the California Hall of Fame and First Lady Maria Shriver in saluting the Dreamers Challenge scholarship winners," said Curt Henninger, Comcast's Senior Vice President for California.  "Comcast has a long history of supporting education and building tomorrow's leaders, and that is why we're pleased to partner with the California Hall of Fame to honor these students' golden dreams for the Golden State."

The winners and honorable mentions will each receive a letter from Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger congratulating them for their achievement.  The honorable mention winners are:

All Dreamers Challenge winning entries can be viewed on The California Museum's website at: http://www.californiamuseum.org/exhibits/halloffame/dreamers-challenge

After the Dreamers Challenge press conference, Sarah and Thomas will take part in the 2010 California Hall of Fame induction ceremony live broadcast on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2010, from 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. on Comcast Hometown Network, digital cable channel 104.  From 6:00-7:00 p.m., co-hosts Lisa Ling and Jason Kennedy will conduct interviews live from the red carpet with this year's California Hall of Fame star-studded list of inductees and attendees.

From 7:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m., Sarah and Thomas will attend the induction ceremony when Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and First Lady Maria Shriver will present the Spirit of California medals during the live broadcast to Governor-Elect Jerry Brown accepting on behalf of his father, inductee Governor Edmund G. "Pat" Brown, blockbuster film-maker James Cameron, Silicon Valley visionary John Doerr, the family of Bank of America founder A. P. Giannini, country music legend Merle Haggard, author and activist Anne Lamott, historian Kevin Starr, the family of Levi Strauss, screen and music icon Barbra Streisand, former Secretary of State George Schultz, celebrated artist Wayne Thiebaud, comedienne Betty White, international tennis champion Serena Williams and Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg.

The 2010 California Hall of Fame sponsors are The Women's Conference and the California Travel and Tourism Commission.  Comcast is the exclusive multi-media sponsor of the 2010 California Hall of Fame.

ABOUT THE CALIFORNIA MUSEUM:

The California Museum — home of the California Hall of Fame and California Legacy Trails — engages, educates and enlightens people about California's rich history and unique contributions to the world through ideas, innovation, art and culture.  Through interactive and innovative experiences, the museum inspires men, women and children to dream the California dream and dare to make their mark on history.  Open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Sunday from noon to 5:00 p.m. Admission: Adults $8.50; Students/Seniors $7.00 with valid ID; Children 6-13 $6.00; Children 5 and younger free.  For more information, visit: http://www.CaliforniaMuseum.org

About Comcast Hometown Network :

Comcast Hometown Network (CHN) is a regional cable network produced by Comcast and available in the San Francisco Bay Area and Central California on Digital Channel 104.  Available to more than 2 million homes in Northern and Central California as a part of Comcast's commitment to the communities that it serves, Comcast Hometown Network is a 24/7 channel that includes original regional programming, Comcast Hometown Sports (CHS), and unique local content that you can't get anywhere else.  For more information, visit: http://comcasthometown.com/

SOURCE The California Museum