The National Park Foundation and Olympus Announce Winner of the First-Ever 'Your Parks' Video Challenge

The National Park Foundation and Olympus Announce Winner of the First-Ever 'Your Parks' Video Challenge

Doug Valentine aka "DoctorLoopy" Wins Grand Prize with One-of-a-kind Video from Big Bend National Park

Thousands of Viewers Watched and Voted for the Best Video Response to: "What Do America's National Parks Mean To You?"

WASHINGTON, Sept. 30 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Park Foundation and Olympus announced today that DoctorLoopy, Doug Valentine, a science teacher from Melissa, TX, is the grand prize winner of the "Your Parks" Video Challenge after online fans voted overwhelmingly for his video submission. The challenge kicked-off in July at www.YourParks.com as people were invited to visit the parks and explain what exactly America's national parks mean to them and why they should be protected.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090630/DC40408LOGO)

Valentine is not a professional filmmaker, though he has made short videos for years to help engage and inspire his students. As the grand prize winner, he will receive an exclusive, all-expense paid trip for two to the national park of his choice, the recently released Olympus PEN camera kit, and a Federal Recreation Lands Pass - good for free entry into all 391 national parks.

The ten honorable mentions in the contest, in alphabetical order by screen name, are:

1. Aime - Aime Ballard-Wood, "Our Favorite National Park"
2. FlowerGirl79 - Lily Lin, "United We Stand"
3. Katie - Katie Wiesbrock, "Into the Wild"
4. Katharine - Katharine Bente, "Sequoia National Park - Land of Giants"
5. MBradner - Matthew Bradner, "Badlands National Park Adventure"
6. QTPrincess2785 - Kelly Gaskins, "Kelly's Adventures in Congaree"
7. RobinandSteve - Robin Welch, "Go Back in an Instant"
8. Ryan - Ryan Plaisted, "There is Nothing so American. . ."
9. Timothy - Tim Ackermans, "Golden Gate National Recreation Area"

10. Tyler - Tyler Johnson, "A Hike"

Winners of honorable mentions will receive Federal Recreation Lands Pass as well as an Olympus Stylus Tough-8000 digital camera, and gift cards for outdoor footwear and apparel from Merrell.

All winners will also receive a copy of the new Ken Burns "The National Parks: America's Best Idea" DVD and companion book which premiered this week on PBS. The film chronicles stories of the people who helped create the parks, just as the "Your Parks" video challenge showcased the stories of individual Americans and how the parks have touched their lives.

"Your Parks" was a complementary project to the National Park Foundation's official Share the Experience photo contest, sponsored by Olympus, seeking this year's best photo of the National Parks. The winner of that annual challenge will have his or her photo adorn the 2011 Federal Recreation Lands Pass, receive an Olympus E-3 DSLR Camera Kit, and a trip to a Federal Recreation Area of choice. There are 14 chances to win national recognition and many great prizes.

To see all of the video entries for this year's "Your Parks" Video Challenge, visit www.yourparks.com.

ABOUT OLYMPUS IMAGING AMERICA INC.

Olympus Imaging America Inc. is a precision technology leader, designing and delivering award-winning products for consumer and professional markets. Olympus Imaging America Inc. works collaboratively with its customers and its ultimate parent company, Olympus Corporation, to develop breakthrough technologies with revolutionary product design and functionality that enhances people's lives every day. For more information, visit: www.getolympus.com.

ABOUT THE NATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION

The National Park Foundation is an independent charitable organization chartered by Congress in 1967 to strengthen the connection between the American people and their 391 national parks. As the official national non-profit partner of America's National Parks, the Foundation raises private funds, makes strategic grants, creates innovative partnerships and increases public awareness about the need and opportunity for park philanthropy. In its 2008 fiscal year, the National Park Foundation distributed grants and program support of $27.3M.

National Park Foundation
Contact: Mark Shields
(202) 354-6480
mshields@nationalparks.org

Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090630/DC40408LOGO
http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: National Park Foundation

CONTACT: Mark Shields of National Park Foundation, +1-202-354-6480,
mshields@nationalparks.org

Web Site: http://www.nationalparks.org/

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