The Buffalo Bills and Perry's Ice Cream announced that 9-year-old Darian Whitmore, a fourth-grade student from Blasdell Elementary, has won the 2008 Perry's Ice Cream "Sweetest Kid" contest. Darian's grand prize includes a Perry's Ice Cream party for his entire school at Blasdell Elementary on 3780 S. Park Avenue, Blasdell, NY 14129 with Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Marcus Stroud on Tuesday, December 9, 2008 at 1:30 p.m.
Perry's ran the "Sweetest Kid of the Week" promotion for eight weeks through October 20th where teachers, community member, coaches, parents and others nominated students in grades 4-8. The nomination had to describe outstanding academic, athletic and community achievements.
There were eight weekly winners and each student received free Perry's Ice Cream and a Buffalo Bills prize pack. Out of those eight, one winner, Darian Whitmore, received the grand prize.
"Darian Whitmore is a young man who was faced with many challenges at a young age," said Martha Swarts and Marie Simoncelli, two of Darian's teachers. "He has met those challenges to become a talented, strong leader in his classroom, on his baseball team, and in his community."
Swarts and Simoncelli noted, "Darian comes from a sad background. He lost both of his parents under violent circumstances when he was 4. He and his two older brothers are being raised by their grandparents. He comes to school every day eager to learn and helps out anyone who crosses his path. He always has his homework done and in 3rd grade he was the chairperson of our courtyard beautification and recycling committees. He has participated in numerous community service projects and also plays baseball on a community team."
Robert Denning, president and chief executive officer, Perry's Ice Cream said, "Perry's is dedicated to supporting our local schools. Our partnership with the Buffalo Bills for the 'Sweetest Kid of the Week' promotion gives us the honorable opportunity to celebrate a special student who is making a difference in our community and in the lives of others."
Perry's Ice Cream, founded in 1918 by H. Morton Perry and headquartered in Western New York, is a family-owned and operated fourth generation ice cream manufacturer with frozen distribution services for Perry's, Ben & Jerry's, Edy's, Nestle, M&M Masterfood, Häagen-Dazs, Good Humor, Breyer's, Klondike, and Popsicle. Since its humble beginning, when hand cranks and horse-drawn delivery wagons were used, Perry's has maintained one of the most modern, state-of-the-art production facilities in the country to produce great tasting ice cream one batch at a time. With over 285 employees, Perry's sells and distributes to Upstate New York, Western Pennsylvania, New England and Northeast Ohio. For additional information about Perry's Ice Cream, visit www.PerrysIceCream.com.
