Drink Tea. Win $20,000. Experience the 'Calm-A-Sutra of Tea'

EWSWIRE TEA COUNCIL OF THE USA, INC. MEGYN PRICE TEA COUNCIL OF THE USA, INC. MEGYN PRICE.
Celebrity Megyn Price, of the CBS hit series Rules of Engagement, has partnered with the Tea Council of the USA as the official spokesperson for the Calm-A-Sutra of Tea, a nationwide scholarship competition awarding one creative student $20,000 towards their education for the most unique and inventive Internet video on the health-related benefits of drinking tea. For more information, please visit www.TeaUSA.org/CalmASutra. (PRNewsFoto/Tea Council of the USA, Inc.) NEW YORK, NY UNITED STATES 05/08/2008

9 May 2008 13:00 Africa/Lagos


Drink Tea. Win $20,000. Experience the 'Calm-A-Sutra of Tea'

Tea Council of the USA, Inc. launches $20,000 Nationwide Scholarship Competition with Celebrity Spokesperson Megyn Price of the CBS Hit Sitcom, Rules of Engagement

NEW YORK, May 9 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --

The Tea Council of the USA, Inc. announced today the launch of the 2008 Calm-A-Sutra of Tea(TM), a nationwide scholarship competition awarding one creative student $20,000 towards their education, in an effort to introduce America's young people to the health-related benefits of drinking tea.


For the high resolution photograph: Click here.


The Calm-A-Sutra of Tea is a nationwide search for the most unique and creative way or depiction of drinking tea, specifically black, green, white or oolong tea, all from the Camellia sinensis plant, explained in a one-to-two minute Internet video that incorporates some aspect of tea's many health-related benefits.


As the world's most widely consumed beverage (next to water), tea is great tasting and calorie-free. It contains flavonoids that are believed to be health-protective antioxidants, which ultimately make drinking tea part of a satisfying, healthy lifestyle.


"While educating the public on the emerging science supporting the health-related benefits of drinking tea is one of the Tea Council's main objectives, we also strongly support America's young people seeking a higher education," said Joe Simrany, President of the Tea Council of the USA. "With rising tuition costs, the Calm-A-Sutra of Tea scholarship competition is an ideal vehicle for this Internet generation to pursue in their search for financial aid for the upcoming 2008-2009 school year."


The Tea Council of the USA, Inc. has partnered with sitcom star Megyn Price of the CBS hit series Rules of Engagement as the official Calm-A-Sutra of Tea celebrity spokesperson. Price, a new mom and big fan of healthy foods and beverages plus nutritious cooking, supports the Tea Council's platform on educating young Americans about the health benefits of drinking tea through the immensely popular and ever-growing trend of using online video as the newest form of mass communication.


"As a new mom, I believe education is crucial to a happy future for our children and our country," said Price. "I funded my own education in large part with outside scholarships, without which I never would have been able to graduate from college. I am so proud to be working with the Tea Council in support of education in America and to promote the many health benefits of tea."


The participant who submits the most creative and unique video, which emphasizes the health-related benefits of drinking black, green, white or oolong tea, will be selected by a panel of Tea Council representatives to receive a scholarship of $20,000 paid directly to the school or educational institution on the winner's behalf.


All entries must be original Internet videos created by the entrant and must contain at least one valid message regarding Tea's health-related benefits, specifically black, green, white or oolong tea. Open to legal residents of the United States and Puerto Rico, who are at least 16 years of age, all entries must be received electronically at www.teausa.org/calmasutra no later than midnight on Wednesday, August 6, 2008.


Final judging will be conducted by a panel of representatives of the Tea Council of the USA, Inc. based on the following criteria: HEALTH-RELATED MESSAGE (50%; Entry must contain at least one valid message regarding Tea's health-related benefits, specifically black, green, white and oolong tea), CREATIVITY (20%), INDIVIDUALITY (20%) and POPULARITY (10%). Entries that contain any nudity, sexual content, inappropriate language, unsuitable behavior or adult material will be automatically discarded and not considered for submission.


For more information, please visit www.teausa.org/calmasutra.

ABOUT THE TEA COUNCIL OF THE USA:

The Tea Council of the USA is a non-profit association that was formed in 1950 as a joint partnership between tea packers, importers and allied industries within the United States, and the major tea producing countries. It functions as the educational arm of the tea industry with a primary goal of increasing overall awareness of tea by providing information about its many positive attributes. One of the Council's primary objectives is the dissemination of key scientific findings about tea to the public. The Tea Council does this in several ways including: funding scientific meetings to bring tea researchers from around the world together to share key information and identify next steps for future research projects; and working with health organizations and international scientists to disseminate information about potential positive health effects of tea consumption on a public level. Additional efforts of the Tea Council include outreach to the health professional community, support and monitoring of key scientific meetings internationally, and ongoing interaction with leading tea researchers.


Press Contacts for the Tea Council of the USA, Inc.:
Kevin Hughes
Pollock Communications
646-277-8720
khughes@pollock-pr.com

Melissa McAllister
Pollock Communications
646-277-8711
mmcallister@pollock-pr.com


Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080509/NYF018
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
AP PhotoExpress Network: PRN9
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: Tea Council of the USA, Inc.

CONTACT: Kevin Hughes, +1-646-277-8720, khughes@pollock-pr.com, or
Melissa McAllister, +1-646-277-8711, mmcallister@pollock-pr.com, both for Tea
Council of the USA, Inc.


Web site: The Tea Council of USA