LITTLE ROCK, Ark., Oct. 15, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Windstream (Nasdaq:WIN), a leading provider of advanced network communications, today announced Smart Tomorrow, a contest that challenges high school students in Lincoln, Neb., to create a short video about how they think connected technology will change the way we live in 2025.
Connected technology is already reshaping our lives, allowing people to communicate better and making day-to-day tasks more efficient. Over the next 10 years, technology advancements will transform nearly every aspect of how people live, creating a smarter tomorrow.
Beginning today, high school students across Lincoln may enter the Smart Tomorrow contest individually or as part of a team to imagine what the connected future looks like. Students will work to create a short video in a format of their choice, such as stop motion, news broadcast, music video, commercial, etc. that allows them to communicate their vision for the future in the most creative way possible.
"High school students are more in tune with developing technology than any previous generation. They are already imagining a more connected future, and more importantly, will be the generation to bring it to life," said David Redmond, president of consumer services at Windstream. "As a provider of next generation communications technology and a company with a long history of supporting schools in the communities we serve, we wanted to create an intellectually stimulating experience for students that allowed them to flex their creative muscles around a topic they're already passionate about."
Entry forms must be submitted by Nov. 15, 2014, to SmartTomorrow@windstream.net. Video submissions will be due on Jan. 5, 2015, at which time each submission will be judged by a panel of experts that include David Redmond, president of consumer services at Windstream; Mike Roberts, analyst at Ovum, and Puneet Mehta, co-founder and CEO of MobileROI, a New York-based mobile marketing technology company. The winner will be formally announced in February, and the highest scoring videos will be shared through Windstream's social channels.
The winning student(s) will receive $20,000 and an additional $20,000 for their school's parent organization. Further, the winner will receive a virtual session with at least one venture capitalist, made possible by MobileROI, who will offer a critique of the video and provide career advice, giving the students a professional perspective and helping them think about their future.
"Connected technology is revolutionizing our way of life, so we're extremely excited to partner with Windstream on this contest and help encourage creative thinking among students, the next generation of inventors," said Puneet Mehta, co-founder and CEO of MobileROI. "This is a topic relevant to all students, and regardless of what industry they choose to pursue a career in, whether it's healthcare, energy, automotive or security, among others, connected technology will undoubtedly play an essential role."
For more information, a list of eligible schools and contest materials students can visit their school's office or visit www.windstream.com/SmartTomorrow. Questions can also be sent to SmartTomorrow@windstream.net.
About Windstream
Windstream (Nasdaq:WIN), a FORTUNE 500 and S&P 500 company, is a leading provider of advanced network communications, including cloud computing and managed services, to businesses nationwide. The company also offers broadband, phone and digital TV services to consumers primarily in rural areas. For more information, visit www.windstream.com.
No purchase necessary. Open to students in grades 9 – 12 enrolled in and attending an eligible school in Lincoln, Nebraska. For a school to be eligible, the school must be affiliated with an organization or separate entity (such as a PTO) with a bank account that can accept money. A student should have a parent's or legal guardian's permission to participate. Students who attend home schools are not eligible. Contest starts 12:01 a.m. CT 10/15/14, ends 11:59 p.m. CT 1/5/15. Registrations must be received by 11:59 p.m. CT 11/15/14. Void outside Lincoln, NE and where prohibited. See Official Rules, available at a participating school's main office or at www.windstream.com/smarttomorrow.