Congratulations to Kayla Helferich the winner of the grand prize of the Most Beautiful Eyes contest! Kayla is just eight years old and hails from South Carolina. Kayla has been awarded a $25,000 scholarship from Prevent Blindness America and will become the face of the Star Pupils program for one year. Star Pupils is the signature children’s eye health program from Prevent Blindness America.
Lyla Zaragoza, age 2, of Oklahoma won the first runner-up prize of a $4,000 scholarship, and Hailey Verrill, age 4, from Maine received a $2,000 scholarship as the second runner-up. All three finalists and their families were flown to Chicago to attend the Prevent Blindness America Annual Awards Banquet on November 18, 2011. We had the pleasure of meeting all of the contestants at a lively dinner at the Rain Forest Café the evening before the gala event.
The contest started several months ago when Prevent Blindness America began their Facebook photo contest. Parents submitted photos of their children online and people were allowed to vote for their choice for the most the beautiful eyes. Contestants were then narrowed down to state winners and then judges selected the final three contestants.
Real Kids Shades was proud to be a sponsor of this worthwhile event that draws attention to children’s eye health and safety issues. It is part of our ongoing commitment to educate parents about children’s eye health.