North Carolina Aquarium Announces Fish Face Winners

By Claire Aubel

Atlantic Beach, NC - They puckered, pursed and puffed their way into the winners’ circle of the North Carolina Aquariums Fish Face contest.

The first four monthly winners of the creative mugshot competition are featured on www.ShowUsYourFishFace.com

Those that took top honors were:
* Isabella Avery Shope of Franklin, NC – October winner
* Taylor Hvizdak of Ruther Glen, VA – November winner
* Eddie Sumlin of Charlotte, NC – December winner
* Meredith Bass of Nashville, NC – January winner

Each has received a gift bag of Aquarium goodies, worth $25. More than 140 participants submitted their best fish faces to the competition. All entrants won fish face fame and a Fish Face ID card, redeemable for a prize at any of the three state-operated Aquariums – on Roanoke Island, at Pine Knoll Shores and at Fort Fisher.

Each monthly winner also has a chance to win a beach vacation, a behind-the-scenes Aquarium tour and a North Carolina Aquarium Society membership in an annual grand prize drawing.

Launched in October 2008, www.ShowUsYourFishFace.com has generated plenty of attention and laughs.

“‘Show Us Your Fish Face’ is fun and it’s interactive,” said Aquariums Division Director David Griffin. “That’s what the Aquariums are all about.”

Founded in 1976, the three state Aquariums share the mission, “inspiring appreciation and conservation of North Carolina’s aquatic environments.” The Aquariums advance this mission largely through engaging family experiences, Griffin said.

The Aquariums are under the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and are accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Regular operating hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Call 1-800-832-FISH or see www.ncaquariums.com for more information on the Aquariums.

PHOTOS: Two tots took top honors in the North Carolina Aquariums Fish Face contest: Isabella Avery Shope and Taylor Hvizdak. Log on to www.ShowUsYourFishFace.com to see all of the winners, and to enter your photo in the next monthly competition.

NORTH CAROLINA AQUARIUM AT PINE KNOLL SHORES
PO Box 580 Atlantic Beach, NC 28512-0580 ? (252) 247-4003 ? Fax (252) 247-0663

Department of Environment and Natural Resources ? Beverly Eaves Perdue, Governor ? Dee Freeman, Secretary