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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 24, 2006
CONTACT:
Millie Gonzalez
Office of University Relations
908-737-NEWS (6397)
E-mail:
mgonzale@kean.edu
Kean University Student, Elizabeth Torres of Elizabeth, N.J.,
wins American Eagle Outfitters "Live Your Life" Contest
UNION, N.J. - Leading lifestyle retailer American Eagle Outfitters (AE) this week announced the winners of its highly successful "Live Your Life" contest, a program that encourages young adults around the country to achieve great things by following their dreams. Kean University student, Elizabeth Torres of Elizabeth, N.J., was selected as a winner from among the more than 20,000 entries.
A native of Colombia, Torres, 18, has been writing poetry and painting since she was five years old. Now living in the United States and majoring in broadcast communication and visual communication at Kean, she dreams of publishing her self-illustrated, bilingual book of original poetry and giving motivational speaking tours at schools, universities and locations within and beyond America.
"Publishing my work was a dream in progress. I entered this contest because I needed the financial piece," said Torres, who works for Kean's Spanish Speaking Program and serves as a student ambassador. "I'm a very positive person. The American Eagle award will allow me to assist young people with their dreams through this and other projects and motivational presentations." Now in its second year, the AE contest awarded Torres and five other winners $25,000 each to help make his or her dream a reality. To learn more about Torres, her talents and her dream, visit her Web site at www.poet.oflight.org.
Launched last January, AE's contest attracted over 20,000 entries from individuals looking to fulfill their dreams, more than four times the number of applications received last year. Visitors to AE's Web site - 4.7 million of them - voted online to select six winners to bring their essays to life and make a difference in the world. "Our 'Live Your Life' winners are extraordinary individuals with inspirational stories and a commitment to fostering positive change in the world around them," said Susan McGalla, president and chief merchandising officer for the American Eagle brand. "By helping them advance their work, we hope to encourage countless other young adults to live life to the fullest, which is the spirit of the AE brand. We are extremely proud to be a part of their success." To learn more about AE's "Live Your Life" campaign and this year's winners, go to www.aeliveyourlife.com.
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