Canon Further Supports Youth Education Towns (YETs) Nationwide with Establishment of Educational Curriculum and Product Donation

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y. -- (BUSINESS WIRE) -- For the past six seasons, Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging, and the Pro Football Hall of Fame have asked contestants to answer the question, “Why Do You Love Football?” through photos of youth football. After reviewing over 6,000 entries, the grand prize winners were announced today with Heidi Yowell, 45, of La Habra, Calif., awarded the honor for the Adult Division and Michael Pronzato, 17, of Warrington, Penn., winning for the Teen Division. Each has won a trip for four to attend Super Bowl XLV in North Texas along with a trip for four to the 2011 Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Celebration this summer, and they will also have their winning photos displayed in the Hall of Fame for a full year.

“all people, regardless of race, religion or culture, harmoniously living and working together into the future”

Yowell snapped a photo of her son and husband, entitled “Last Game,” after the last Pop Warner game of the season. Her son, a third-year linebacker, wore pink socks during the game to help promote breast cancer awareness.

Pronzato captured “Give a Full Effort for the Touchdown” at the Archbishop Wood vs. Haverford High School football game. He says there is a chance for a great picture every time Desmon Peoples (subject of the photo and Pronzato’s friend) runs the ball. A junior at Archbishop Wood, Pronzato taught himself how to use a camera since his skateboarding friends needed a photographer, and he now takes photos for all sporting events at his school. An athlete himself, he hopes to play golf and major in photography in college.

In honor of all the photos submitted to the contest this year, Canon worked to further develop its relationship with the YETs by establishing an educational curriculum to enrich the students’ development in the art of photography and digital imaging during afterschool hours. The program consisted of workshops hosted by local photographers, NFL team photographers and Canon representatives. The curriculum for the workshops was developed by Peter Read Miller, Canon Explorer of Light and Sports Illustrated photographer. The output of these workshops will be a mural showcasing the students’ love for football and will be featured at NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell’s press conference at the Super Bowl. Last year, Canon donated $150,000 of products to YETs across the country and will be providing equipment for the newest YET to be built in North Texas this year as well.

“Through this program, Canon is able to provide students at Youth Education Towns across the country with hands-on teaching and the necessary tools to embrace the art of photography,” said Yuichi Ishizuka, executive vice president and general manager, Imaging Technologies and Communications Group, Canon U.S.A. “Together with the NFL, we’re thrilled to be able to enrich children’s lives with a life-long activity that is both educational and fun.”

The nationwide photo contest, from which one Grand Prize winner from each division was selected, allowed fans to enter their photos in two categories, “Action” and “Feature.” The photo contest allowed football and photography fans the opportunity to capture the passion and excitement of youth football by submitting photos of everything from a playful game of catch in the backyard to any youth, school or organized football game. The judging panel included former NFL quarterback Archie Manning along with some of the world’s top sports photographers including Peter Read Miller from Sports Illustrated.

The other finalists in the adult division were Jack Keo, Calif.; George Faella, N.Y.; Michael Renzi, Calif.; Dwane Lindsey, Ill.; Tony Tribolet, San Juan Calif.; Allen Wilhelm, N.C.; Stacey Rhea, Va.; Eric Smith, Texas; Candein Chairez, Calif.; Robert DeForge, Mich.; Gary Jones, Calif.; and Rebecca Tacchetti,Md.

The other finalists in the teen division were Joshua Lindsey, Ky.; Jessica Brown, Ga.; Emily de Santos, Texas; Aaron Gonzalez, Texas; Menna Mourad, Calif.; and Cameron Sarradet, La.

About Canon U.S.A., Inc.
Canon U.S.A., Inc., is a leading provider of consumer, business-to-business, and industrial digital imaging solutions. Its parent company, Canon Inc. (NYSE:CAJ), a top patent holder of technology, ranked fourth overall in the U.S. in 2009†, with global revenues of US $35 billion and is listed as number six in the computer industry on Fortune Magazine's World’s Most Admired Companies 2010 list. Canon U.S.A. is committed to the highest levels of customer satisfaction and loyalty, providing 100 percent U.S.-based consumer service and support for all of the products it distributes. At Canon, we care because caring is essential to living together in harmony. Founded upon a corporate philosophy of kyosei – "all people, regardless of race, religion or culture, harmoniously living and working together into the future" – Canon U.S.A. supports a number of social, youth, educational and other programs, including environmental and recycling initiatives. Additional information about these programs can be found at www.usa.canon.com/kyosei. To keep apprised of the latest news from Canon U.S.A., sign up for the Company's RSS news feed by visiting www.usa.canon.com/rss.

†Based on weekly patent counts issued by United States Patent and Trademark Office.

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