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[via press release]

Six Finalists Awarded Their “PROPS” from Cartoon Network

One-Hour Special Hosted by Jonny Moseley and Featuring Venus & Serena Williams, Baron Davis, Billie Jean King, Bob Burnquist, Andy Irons, Johnny Lang, Jack Beckman and Others to Air Saturday, Sept. 1, 7 p.m.

As part of its 2007 GET ANIMATED initiative, Cartoon Network has scoured the nation in search of real-world kids who demonstrate exceptional talent, commitment and accomplishment in sports, the arts or even a hobby.  After several hundred thousand online votes from viewers, the field of nominees has been narrowed down to just six finalists.  These finalists have thus been awarded “PROPS” from Cartoon Network, a mind-blowing experience that they will never forget and that might even take them to the next level.  On Saturday, Sept. 1 at 7 p.m. (ET, PT), Cartoon Network will present PROPS, a one-hour special hosted by Olympic Gold Medalist Jonny Moseley that reveals how six finalists are surprised with a once-in-a-lifetime experience customized to each of their individual passions.  Encore airings of the special, produced by Megtv, also will occur on Sunday, Sept. 2 at 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. (ET/PT).

Earlier this year, kids and parents were invited to submit their entries to be voted as one of the most outstanding young talents in the nation.  Cartoon Network selected 16 top kids and profiled each of their talents online and on-air.  Viewers were enlisted to vote online for who they thought most deserved their “PROPS.”  The selected finalists are Kalani David (10), a skateboarder and surfer from Hawaii; Cole Citrenbaum (11), a virtuoso blues guitarist; Sarah (13) and Elizabeth (12) Means, two top-ranking tennis players/sisters; Nikko Turner (13), a rising young basketball star; Gunnar Boelman (13), a competitive drag racer; and Still Pending (Reed-11, Grant-11, Ian-12), a three-member rock band from Oregon.

Below are the “Props” winners and the once-in-a-lifetime experiences they earned from Cartoon Network:

Kalani David (Haleiwa, Hawaii)
10-year-old Kalani is surprised with not only a visit from legendary skateboarder Bob Burnquist in his private backyard skate park, but also pro-surfer Andy Irons.  Kalani gets to spend not one, but two whole days of personal instruction from two pros who are at the pinnacle of their respective sports.  And to top it off, Kalani gets a brand new, top-of-the-line skateboard and surfboard. 

Cole Citrenbaum (Bishop, Calif.)
Cole, an 11-year-old virtuoso blues guitarist, is led to believe that he is picking up tickets to a Jonny Lang show at the Fillmore in San Francisco.  In reality, he is going to sit in on the young blues star’s sound check.  Cole is invited to demonstrate his talent during the sound check and even gets to play on Lang’s brand new Fender guitar.  As part of “PROPS,” Johnny Lang not only signs and gives Cole the Fender, but he also brings Cole on-stage to play alongside him during the concert.

The Means Sisters, Elizabeth and Sarah (Washington, DC)
The Means Sisters are surprised by Venus and Serena Williams, who tell them that they are to receive “PROPS” from Cartoon Network.  The Means Sisters are then invited to attend Billie Jean King’s tennis camp.  Elizabeth (12) and Sarah (13) spend a day with the ladies’ pioneer tennis champ herself, Billie Jean King, receiving game changing, one-on-one instruction.  They also get the chance to play at the famed Arthur Ashe Stadium in Flushing Meadows as their family looks on.

Nikko Turner (Riverside, Calif.)
Thirteen-year-old basketball phenomenon Nikko is given a full day of personal instruction by expert trainers from the renowned Triple Threat Academy.  But it’s Golden State Warriors basketball player Baron Davis who gives Nikko a real surprise.  Nikko is given the chance to play one-on-one with the NBA All-Star pro for an hour, complete with game-friendly trash talking and all.  As the day wraps up, Nikko is also given a signed t-shirt by Davis.

Gunnar Boelman (Diamond Bar, Calif.)
Jonny Moseley surprises 13-year-old Gunnar with the news that he has earned his “PROPS” with a full day of personal driving instruction from one of the legends of drag racing, Jack Beckman, at the Pomona (CA) Race Track.  In addition to improving his time, Gunnar is shocked and delighted at the end of the day to receive a brand new professional racecar, complete with flames and a cool Cartoon Network logo adorning the chassis.

Still Pending (Oswego, Tigard, Ore.)
Reed Gulick-Stutz (guitar), Grant Ellman (drums) and Ian Rogers (bass) make up Still Pending, a young band that already has an established following.  Still Pending was undeniably the “Props” audience’s favorite, receiving more than 250,000 on-line votes.  It was only fitting that Cartoon Network enlisted Paul Palmer, producer of the multi-platinum High School Musical soundtrack, and his producing team of Antonina Armato and Tim James, to produce one of the band’s songs at his studio in LA.  Paul and his team have also worked with Green Day, Mariah Carey and the Sick Puppies.  As an extra treat, Hawthorne Heights takes time off of their tour to invite Still Pending to visit their tour bus and receive valuable advice and encouragement.

Cartoon Network (CartoonNetwork.com), currently seen in more than 91 million U.S. homes and 160 countries around the world, is Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.’s ad-supported cable service offering the best in original, acquired and classic animated entertainment for kids and families.  Overnight from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday (ET, PT), Cartoon Network shares its channel space with Adult Swim, a late-night destination showcasing original and acquired animation for young adults 18-34.

Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company, is a major producer of news and entertainment product around the world and the leading provider of programming for the basic cable industry.