LAYTONSVILLE, Md. – Outstanding Washington, D.C.-area student, scientist and entrepreneur Gracyn Love, age 6, was recently selected as the 2019 grand prize winner of ELLIO’S PIZZA’s Phenomenal Kids Scholarship Contest and presented with a scholarship check for $10,000. Members of Gracyn’s community, her school and her family gathered on Jan. 29 at Laytonsville Elementary School in Laytonsville, Md. to celebrate her accomplishments. For the second year in a row, a Washington, D.C.-area student has won this prestigious award.
Gracyn is a 6-year-old scientist and entrepreneur who is actively involved in her community, sharing her love of science with kids through educational videos, live demonstrations and science kits. The outgoing first-grader served as a science outreach demonstrator at the Johns Hopkins SABES STEM Showcase and was the face of the Baltimore Museum of Industry’s Weekend Worker program, appearing on Baltimore City buses and billboards. Gracyn is an active participant in the Acton Children’s Business Fairs and recently won Best Presentation in the 2019 Baltimore Children’s Business Fair for her business, Gracyn’s Science Lab. She is also a proud member of Girl Scouts USA and will be an ambassador at the USA Science and Engineering Festival in April 2020.
“As a family, this contest really pushed us to engage with our community more and, in winning, really inspired Gracyn, as well as her younger brother, Brooks, to set their sights even higher,” shared Gracyn’s mom, Lauren Love.
An Ellio’s representative, local supporters and members of the media surprised Gracyn in her elementary school’s gym with a short presentation highlighting her many accomplishments as well as free Ellio’s Pizza giveaway items for her entire school.
“For the third year in a row, our Phenomenal Kids Scholarship Contest identifies, recognizes and rewards exceptional students who are making a positive impact in their community,” says Bill Whalen, Executive Vice President of Dr. Oetker USA, LLC, the parent company of Ellio’s Pizza. “There’s nothing better than helping to celebrate and support phenomenal kids like Gracyn.”
Second-prize winner, Joshua O. of Gambrills, Md., won an all-expenses paid trip to take his family on a kid-focused weekend getaway to Orlando, Fla. Eight runner-up prize winners will receive a $75 Amazon gift card and an Ellio’s gift bag.
Gracyn is clearly charting a path for success and was surrounded by supportive family and friends at the recent scholarship presentation ceremony.
“Gracyn’s passion for science is extremely impressive, as is her commitment to educating her peers about STEM subjects,” says Melissa Vesci, Brand Manager for Ellio’s Pizza, who attended the special ceremony for Gracyn. “By any measure, she truly is a Phenomenal Kid.”
The Ellio’s Phenomenal Kids Scholarship Contest invites parents and legal guardians with children between the ages of 6 and 12 to write a brief 500 to 1,500 character submission highlighting what makes their child phenomenal for a chance to win a $10,000 scholarship. Key pillars for the 2019 contest include Community Involvement, Passion with Purpose, Creativity and Academic Achievement.
To learn more about Ellio’s Pizza and this year’s winners, visit www.ellios.com/phenomenal-kids-winners-2019