Student artists from across the U.S. let their creativity flow in this year's fifth annual Heinz® Ketchup Creativity? Contest. More than 26,000 entries poured in, and Pop artist Burton Morris and a panel of judges selected 36 finalists whose work showcased creativity, originality and enthusiasm for Heinz® Ketchup.

Beginning today, the public can help choose the winners by voting online for their favorites at www.KetchupCreativity.com. Twelve winners will be selected, one from each grade in grades K/1 through 12, and one grand prize winner will earn a $5,700 cash prize. The grand prize winner will see his or her winning artwork appear on millions of Heinz Ketchup bottles, which will become available on store shelves in the 2011-2012 school year, and receive a visit from Morris during a special awards ceremony at the winner's school.

"I was honored to return as a judge for the fifth annual Heinz Ketchup Creativity Contest," Morris said. "I am so inspired by the impressive designs, degree of artistry and love for Heinz Ketchup that shines through in these colorful masterpieces. I encourage everyone to vote and can't wait to see who wins."

The 12 talented winners' artwork will appear on millions of Heinz Ketchup packets nationwide and featured in the Winners' Gallery at www.KetchupCreativity.com. Each winner will receive a $1,000 cash prize and a framed poster of their artwork, which will be presented at a school award ceremony. The winners' schools will receive $1,000 toward art supplies and $1,000 worth of Heinz Ketchup.

"We have received an astounding support from schools, students and parents over the past five years," said Erin Catalina, brand manager for Heinz Ketchup. "With each year, we are continually amazed by the level of talent, creativity and mostly, enthusiasm that students have for America's Favorite Ketchup?.

And the Finalists are...

Kindergarten/First Grade

  • Nicole Critchlow, South Butler Primary School, Saxonburg, Pa.
  • Kevin McAfee, St. Mark's Episcopal Day School, Jacksonville, Fla.
  • Lauren Paxton, Monart School of Art, Washington, Pa.

Second Grade

  • Olivia Elliott, Crestview Elementary School, Merriam, Kan.
  • Mary Mac Parnell, New Center School, Sevierville, Tenn.
  • Apolonia Sebastian, Wills Valley Elementary School, Fort Payne, Ala.

Third Grade

  • Alyssa Barton, Westview Elementary School, Lee's Summit, Mo.
  • Jeremy Kim, Cascade Ridge Elementary School, Sammamish, Wash.
  • Jennifer O'Brien, P.S. 207 Elizabeth G. Leary, Brooklyn, N.Y.

Fourth Grade

  • Isidora Armijo, Doral Academy Charter Elementary, Miami, Fla.
  • Ingrid Caceres, Kids Campus Youth Center, El Monte, Calif.
  • Ethan Fox Sullivan, Montessori at Franklin, Rochester, Minn.

Fifth Grade

  • Merrell Bowden, Cary Woods Elementary School, Auburn, Ala.
  • Rachel Carlisle, Monart School of Art, Washington, Pa.
  • Mary Kosin, St. Brendan School, North Olmsted, Ohio

Sixth Grade

  • Benjamin Guggenheim, Mill Valley Middle School, Mill Valley, Calif.
  • Katie Latour, Caddo Middle Magnet, Shreveport, La.
  • Anna Nguyen, Davis Intermediate School, Wylie, Texas

Seventh Grade

  • Sara Bartholet, Meeker Middle School, Tacoma, Wash.
  • Grant Phillips, Trafford Middle School, Trafford, Pa.
  • Tricia Pingarelli, Salisbury Middle School, Allentown, Pa.

Eighth Grade

  • Carlo Ray Tagulao, Thompson Middle School, Murrieta, Calif.
  • Erica Blank, Trafford Middle School, Trafford, Pa.
  • Noah Evans, Woodward Middle School, Woodward, Okla.

Ninth Grade

  • Garrett Mason, Wylie E. Groves High School, Beverly Hills, Mich.
  • Kylie Nelson, Atlantic Coast High School, Jacksonville, Fla.
  • Michelle Taylor, Matawan Regional High School, Aberdeen, N.J.

Tenth Grade

  • Lauren Ellis, Byron P. Steele II High School, Cibolo, Texas
  • Alyssa Maurer, Central High School, Martinsburg, Pa.
  • Tyler Ray, Elgin High School, Elgin, Okla.

Eleventh Grade

  • Alexus Dickey, Atlantic Coast High School, Jacksonville, Fla.
  • Tanner JP Seidel, Lincoln Northeast High School, Lincoln, Neb.
  • Stephanie Zdimal, Chenango Forks High School, Binghamton, N.Y.

Twelfth Grade

  • Nakyung Choe, West High School, Torrance, Calif.
  • James Davis, New Milford High School, New Milford, Conn.
  • Britteny Cornelius, Western High School, Russiaville, Ind.

Voting is now open at www.KetchupCreativity.com and will close at 11:59:59 p.m. EDT on April 11. The winners will be announced publicly later this month.

About Heinz

H.J. Heinz Company, offering "Good Food Every Day"? is one of the world's leading marketers and producers of healthy, convenient and affordable foods specializing in ketchup, sauces, meals, soups, snacks and infant nutrition. Heinz provides superior quality, taste and nutrition for all eating occasions whether in the home, restaurants, the office or "on-the-go." Heinz is a global family of leading branded products, including Heinz® Ketchup, sauces, soups, beans, pasta and infant foods (representing over one third of Heinz's total sales), Ore-Ida® potato products, Weight Watchers® Smart Ones® entrees, T.G.I. Friday's® snacks, and Plasmon infant nutrition. Heinz is famous for its iconic brands on six continents, showcased by Heinz® Ketchup, The World's Favorite Ketchup®. Information on Heinz is available at www.heinz.com.

About Burton Morris

An advocate of art education, Burton Morris credits his teachers and parents for encouraging him to pursue his passion and career as an artist. The Pittsburgh native earned his degree in fine arts from Carnegie Mellon University. He gained national attention when his art was chosen to hang on the set of the hit sitcom, Friends. Known for creating high-energy, fun pieces, Burton Morris' original artwork is featured in collections around the world. The iconic Heinz® Ketchup bottle, which Morris grew up with, has always been a source of artistic inspiration. More information about Burton Morris is available on the Heinz Ketchup Creativity? website at www.KetchupCreativity.com/meet.aspx.

Foodmix
Jennifer Ferm, 630-366-7534
jferm@foodmix.net
or
Heinz North America
Stephanie Ackerman, 412-237-7553
Stephanie.Ackerman@us.hjheinz.com