Heinz® Announces Winners in 2011 Ketchup Creativity™ Contest

America has voted and now 12 young artists will have their artwork reproduced on millions of Heinz Ketchup packets as the winners in the fifth annual Heinz^® Ketchup Creativity™ Contest. Pop artist Burton Morris and a panel of judges identified 36 finalists from the more than 26,000 entries from students who poured on their enthusiasm and creativity for America’s Favorite Ketchup^®.

Heinz Ketchup lovers in the U.S. will see 12 winners’ designs on millions of Heinz Ketchup packets in the 2011-2012 school year, and see grand prize winner Stephanie Zdimal’s design on Heinz Ketchup bottles on store shelves. Stephanie, an eleventh grade student from Chenango Forks High School in Binghamton, N.Y., will be awarded a $5,700 cash prize at an exclusive award ceremony with Burton Morris. Each of the 12 winners will receive a $1,000 cash prize.

"The level of energy and talent that poured into the artwork for this year’s Heinz Ketchup Creativity Contest is outstanding,” Morris said. "I am continually impressed each year and commend these students for their passion and creativity.”

"Stephanie Zdimal's version of the iconic Heinz Ketchup packet brings to life the colorful personality of the brand,” said Erin Catalina, brand manager for Heinz Ketchup. "Choosing a grand prize winner from our 12 winning designs was difficult, but Stephanie's creative artwork is a perfect representation of the Ketchup Creativity Contest and reflects the cheer that Heinz Ketchup brings to mealtime."

And the Winners are…

Kindergarten/First Grade: Lauren Paxton, Monart School of Art, Washington, Pa.
Second Grade: Apolonia Sebastian, Wills Valley Elementary School, Fort Payne, Ala.
Third Grade: Jennifer O’Brien, P.S. 207 Elizabeth G. Leary, Brooklyn, N.Y.
Fourth Grade: Isidora Armijo, Doral Academy Charter Elementary, Miami, Fla.
Fifth Grade: Rachel Carlisle, Monart School of Art, Washington, Pa.
Sixth Grade: Anna Nguyen, Davis Intermediate School, Wylie, Texas
Seventh Grade: Grant Phillips, Trafford Middle School, Trafford, Pa.
Eighth Grade: Erica Blank, Trafford Middle School, Trafford, Pa.
Ninth Grade: Garrett Mason, Wylie E. Groves High School, Beverly Hills, Mich.
Tenth Grade: Tyler Ray, Elgin High School, Elgin, Okla.
Eleventh Grade: Stephanie Zdimal, Chenango Forks High School, Binghamton, N.Y.
Twelfth Grade: Nakyung Choe, West High School, Torrance, Calif.

In addition to prizes and recognition for the young artists, their schools also benefit from the contest and will receive $1,000 toward art supplies, $1,000 worth of Heinz Ketchup and a poster of the winning artwork featured at a special awards ceremony with Heinz. To see the 2011 winners’ designs, please visit www.KetchupCreativity.com.

About Heinz

H.J. Heinz Company, offering "Good Food Every Day”™, is one of the world’s leading marketers and producers of healthy, convenient and affordable foods, specializing in ketchup, sauces, meals, soups, snacks and infant nutrition. Heinz provides superior quality, taste and nutrition for all eating occasions, whether in the home, restaurants, the office or "on-the-go.” Heinz is a global family of leading branded products, including Heinz^® Ketchup, sauces, soups, beans, pasta and infant foods (representing more than one-third of Heinz’s total sales), Ore-Ida^® potato products, Weight Watchers^® Smart Ones^® entrees, T.G.I. Friday’s^® snacks and Plasmon infant nutrition. Heinz is famous for its iconic brands on six continents, showcased by Heinz^® Ketchup, The World’s Favorite Ketchup^®. Information on Heinz is available at www.heinz.com.

About Burton Morris

An advocate of art education, Burton Morris credits his teachers and parents for encouraging him to pursue his passion and career as an artist. The Pittsburgh native earned his degree in fine arts from Carnegie Mellon University. He gained national attention when his art was chosen to hang on the set of the hit sitcom "Friends.” Known for creating high-energy, fun pieces, Burton Morris has original artwork featured in collections around the world. The iconic Heinz^® Ketchup bottle, which Morris grew up with, has always been a source of artistic inspiration. More information about Burton Morris is available on the Heinz Ketchup Creativity™ website at www.KetchupCreativity.com/meet.aspx.