Who knew a simple night spent coloring at home could win you a trip to L.A.?
Seven-year-old Madelaine Armagost, a second-grader at Overlook Elementary, beat out nearly 550 other contestants who entered the L.A. Premiere “Charlotte?s Web” Coloring Contest. Her pink glitter outline of little pig Wilbur caught the eye of the judges at The Examiner.
“We certainly didn?t think she would win that big trip,” said Angela Armagost, Madelaine?s mother. “We just saw the banner on The Examiner?s Web site, and I said, ?Oh let?s do this.? It was just something to do that night.”
Children in grades kindergarten through five were eligible to enter the contest. Contestants could pick up “Charlotte?s Web” coloring pages from Boscov?s and Regal Cinemas locations or print one out from The Examiner?s Web site. The pictures were judged on creativity and use of color.
Sponsored by Southwest Airlines, Paramount Pictures and The Examiner, Madelaine, who likes to be called Maddy, received four tickets to the L.A. premiere of the new live-action “Charlotte?s Web” movie, roundtrip airfare from Southwest, two nights at the Sheraton Universal and a rental car.
Maddy, who was accompanied by her mother Angela, father Tu, and cousin Jadie, had no idea that the grand prize also included a VIP party where she would get to meet the stars of the movie, Dakota Fanning, Reba McEntire and Kathy Bates among them.
“I was happy when I found out I got to meet them,” Maddy said. “I got [Reba?s] autograph.”
Maddy said she really enjoyed the movie. Her favorite part was “when the horses were afraid of Charlotte.” Although Maddy has never read the book, she plans to in the near future. Her mother thinks it will be no problem because Maddy is “a great reader.”
Because Maddy had to miss a day of school for her trip, her teachers excused her absence as part of an art project. Once she came back, Maddy presented a project about her trip to both second-grade classes.
Two runners-up, fourth-grader Richeira Robinson and second-grader Lani O?Neill-Tarrin, won pizza parties for their entire classes at their respective schools.
“Charlotte?s Web” premieres nationwide Wednesday.
