Jul 16, 2009
The Sundance Vacations Annual Essay Contest
Every year right before the annual company picnic, Sundance Vacations holds an essay contest for all employees and their children. This year’s essay topic was “What is your favorite vacation destination?” There were two age groups. The first was age’s 8-13 and the second was age’s 14-college. One winner was picked from each age group and awarded a $500 scholarship. The essays were judged by Sundance Vacations Founder Tina Dowd. A small ceremony was held at the company picnic (Dorney Park in Allentown, Pa) Sundance Vacations VP of Marketing Joe Molitoris announced the winners.
This year, for the age group 8-13 the 2009 winner was Courtney Allen. Courtney is 11years old, and a 6th grade student. Courtney is saving her money for a rainy day. Some of Courtney’s interests include: Drama, Basketball, and has participated in Forensics with her school. Courtney currently made the honor roll for the 08-09 school year. Courtney’s mother Christina Allen is a Manager in the Inbound and Rescheduling Department for Sundance Vacations.
For the 14-college age group, the 2009 winner was Marie Ripa. Marie is a night shift marketer in the Sundance Vacations Mount Carmel office. Marie is 18 years old. She is a student at Brown University. In her spare time Marie enjoys hanging out with friends, reading, playing the violin, and playing on the computer. Marie is very modest about her “hard to beat” bowling skills. She is currently also learning four different languages, Spanish, French, Italian, and Latin.
Congratulations to both girls!
The essay contest was exciting this year! So many writers sent in their best! Congratulations to the winners (Courtney Allen and Marie Ripa). Both stories were great and very descriptive. Hope you both are saving your scholarship money for something special!!
Congratulations, Courtney and Marie. Keep up the great work! You should both be extremely proud of your award for the essay contest and all the other achievemnets you have aquired outside of Sundance. Keep your grades up!
Good job to the winners.
Awesome job to the winners! Congratulations!!!!!
Fantastic Job to the winners Marie and Courtney and all those who entered the contest..
Great job to both girls! Way to go!
Great job, I wish I would’ve had a scholarship.
Wow, with everything Marie is working toward, the fact that she still found the time to even write an essay, let alone win is amazing. You Go Girl!
Congratulations to both winners Courtney Allen and Marie Ripa!!! You guys should be very proud of yourselves, and keep up the good work!!!
Way to go Court and Marie! I hope you spend it well. Court you can split it with me if you want.
Congrats to all of the winners!!Future Writers of America!!
Since all of the essays come into me, I get a chance to read them all (I’m not a judge) and then hide all of the names before giving them to our judges. Every year I am amazed by the writing talent Sundance employs. The competition is stiff so Courtney and Marie you know what a great job you did!
Great job everyone!
Wow! what an idea ! What a concept ! Beautiful .. Amazing