The California Museum & Comcast Announce the 2011 Dreamers Challenge Scholarship

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Sept. 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The California Museum announces the fourth annual California Hall of Fame-inspired Dreamers Challenge Scholarship today, which will award two 2012 graduating high school seniors with a $5,000 scholarship each underwritten by Comcast.

The Dreamers Challenge Scholarship was created in 2008 by The California Museum as an extension of the California Hall of Fame's year-round learning programming designed to inspire innovative and creative thinking. Unlike other scholarships, the Dreamers Challenge asks a new generation of visionaries what they would do to change the world. Participants may respond in whatever medium suits their unique style or talent, such as original paintings, poetry, videos, music, essays or Power Point presentations.

"We encourage California students to share their dreams with us by participating in this contest," said Director of Comcast Hometown Network Jeff Giles. "The Dreamers Challenge Scholarship fosters innovation and creativity, traits that will help make California and the world a better place. We're proud to underwrite the scholarships and help to make the dream of a college education come true for two students."

One winner from Northern California and one winner from Southern California will each receive a $5,000 scholarship, airfare and accommodations for themselves and one guardian to be recognized at the 2011 California Hall of Fame on December 8th, including the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to walk the red carpet with this year's class of inductees and V.I.P. attendees.

"California's great accomplishments have always come from its dreamers -- people who took on the challenges others thought impossible, from building the Golden Gate to creating the technology that drives our global economy," said State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson. "Our students reflect that proud and creative history as they pursue their own dreams of a better life and a better future for our state. That's what the Dreamers Challenge is all about, giving high school seniors the chance to tell us how their dreams will leave lasting impressions, expressing themselves in a variety of forms, including artwork, poetry, essays, presentations and videos."

Also supported by Comcast, the California Hall of Fame will honor a new class of legendary Californians with the presentation of Spirit of California medals by Governor Jerry Brown and First Lady Anne Gust Brown and broadcast live on the Comcast Hometown Network on December 8. As The California Museum's signature program, the California Hall of Fame serves as an educational resource and learning program for teachers and students based on the inspirational culture and history of California's diverse population and amazing accomplishments.

"The California Museum's goal is to educate and inspire future generations," said California Hall of Fame Deputy Director Phil MacDougall. "The individuals in the California Hall of Fame are synonymous with the innovation and vision for which California is known around the world. We are excited to partner with Comcast for the 2011 Dreamers Challenge and look forward to providing a younger generation the chance to show the world how they will further the California Dream in the years to come.''

All 2011-2012 California 12th grade students from public, private and home schools are invited to submit an entry to the Dreamers Challenge. Now being accepted, submissions must be made as digital files saved on a CD or DVD and a letter-sized print out, mailed to The California Museum and postmarked no later than October 15, 2011. For more information, official contest rules and guidelines, please visit: DreamersChallenge.org.

To date, the 2011 California Hall of Fame presenting sponsors include the California Travel & Tourism Commission and Comcast.

ABOUT THE CALIFORNIA MUSEUM:

The California Museum — home of the California Hall of Fame— engages, educates and enlightens people about California's rich history and unique contributions to the world through ideas, innovation, arts and culture. Through interactive and innovative experiences, the museum inspires men, women and children to dream the California dream and dares them to make their mark on history. Open Monday-Saturday from 10:00a.m.-5:00p.m.; Sunday from 12:00p.m.-5:00p.m. Admission: Adults $8.50; Students/Seniors $7.00 with valid ID; Kids 6-13 $6.00; Children 5 and younger free. For more information, please visit: 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, please visit: ComcastHometown.com.

SOURCE The California Museum