NEW YORK - Time Warner Inc., the New York City Department of Education and NYC2012, the committee leading New York's bid to host the Olympic Games in 2012, today announced the winners of the Words and Images Student Olympic Challenge, a photo-and-essay competition for 7th and 8th graders enrolled in New York City's public schools. Students across all of the boroughs were invited to submit photo-essays on why New York City would be a natural site to host the Olympic Games in 2012.

First-, Second- and Third-Place Winners

First-place honors in the Words and Images Challenge went to Karim Othman from MS 51 William Alexander in Brooklyn.

Karim, a seventh-grader, created a photo-essay titled, "What are we shooting for?" It depicted a diverse group of students tipping off a basketball while invoking the Olympic Truce for peace.

Alex Zubrovich, a seventh grader, from IS 239 Mark Twain in Brooklyn was recognized for second place.

Alex's essay envisioned the wonder of the link between the Statue of Liberty's famous symbolic torch with a great symbol of tolerance and fair play, the Olympic torch.

Corinne Caputo from IS 7 Elias Bernstein in Staten Island took third place.

A seventh-grader, Corinne compared in words and images a New York City without the Olympics to a great sundae missing its cherry topping.

As the first-place or gold winner, Karim has won a trip with parent or legal guardian to the Olympic Training Center in Lake Placid; $1,000; a Kodak digital camera and his entry will be published in Sports Illustrated for Kids.

Alex, as the second-place or silver winner, will be awarded $500 and a Kodak digital camera. Corinne, the third-place winner, will receive $250 and a Kodak digital camera.

Honorable Mention Finalists (in alphabetical order):

• Cynthia Chow, 7th grader from MS 210 in Ozone Park
• Justin Cortes, 8th grader from the Talented and Gifted School in Manhattan
• Adam Cruz, 8th grader from I.S. 93 in Ridgewood
• Kelvin Eusebio, 8th grader from the Talented and Gifted School in Manhattan
• Kelly E. Spina, 8th grader from I.S. 239 in Brooklyn
• Timmy McCann, 7th grader from I.S. 239 in Brooklyn
• Jeanette Moreland, 8th grader from M.S. 54 in Manhattan
• Tanjia Nelson, 8th grader from I.S. 41 in Brooklyn
• Julia Passik, 8th grader from M.S. 74 in Bayside

The three top winners, along with the nine honorable mention finalists, will have their photography featured in an Olympic History Exhibition in Time Warner Center at Columbus Circle. In addition, the schools that the three top prize-winners attend will each be awarded a Write TIME For Kids supplemental writing program, and classroom sets of Sports Illustrated for Kids and Time For Kids magazines.

The winners were selected by a panel that included educators, photo editors and Olympians.

Lisa Quiroz, Time Warner's Vice President, Corporate Responsibility, said: "Time Warner is proud to work with the public schools and NYC2012 to support public education and engage students in the exciting effort to bring the Olympic Games in 2012 to the five boroughs."

Schools Chancellor Joel I. Klein said, "This is a tremendous opportunity for New York City's public school students not only to demonstrate their written and artistic talents, but also to help bring the Olympic Games in 2012 to their hometown. I thank Time Warner and NYC2012 for inviting our students to participate in this challenge and salute the winners and finalists for their creativity."

NYC2012 Youth Sports and Education Co-Chair Paula Gavin said: "We are thrilled to have the opportunity to team up with Time Warner and the New York City Department of Education to engage youth in this wonderful project that will pique their interest in the Olympic Movement, help them think about how to incorporate Olympic ideals in their own lives, and showcase their visions for the future of New York. We look forward to sharing their energy and spirit, which can only be found in this city."

After the kick-off of the competition in February of this year, Time Warner hosted two photojournalism workshops on the afternoons of March 9 and March 14, with nearly 200 student entrants and teachers attending. Students learned how to hone their writing and photography skills from professional journalists, photographers and photo editors.

Each student entrant submitted an essay of 500 words or less, and a photo or series of photos focused on New York City's Dreams for the 2012 Games. Time Warner donated a Kodak digital camera to each participating school, and Kodak contributed 1,000 one-time use cameras for student use as part of the competition.

About Time Warner Inc.

Time Warner is a leading media and entertainment company, whose businesses include filmed entertainment, interactive services, television networks, cable systems and publishing.

About NYC2012

NYC2012 is the committee leading New York's bid to the host the Olympic Games in 2012. New York is competing against London, Madrid, Moscow, and Paris for the right to host the Games in 2012. The International Olympic Committee wills elect the Host City on July 6, 2005, in Singapore.