Baldwin Park Unified School District is pleased to announce that De Anza Elementary School, Foster Elementary School, Olive Middle School, and Baldwin Park High School have been selected to participate in the 2010 Lots2Give Video Contest and in-store donation program.

Big Lots (NYSE: BIG) is reaching out to the public to determine the 46 winners in their Lots2Give video contest by voting online for their favorite video. The contest is part of the third annual Lots2Give program launched by Big Lots to help schools in need of financial support across America.. Those votes will determine the schools that will share $100,000 in cash prizes.

Big Lots asked participating schools to submit a short video and brief essay explaining why their school is in need of financial support. The cash awards include one $10,000 grand prize and forty-five $2,000 first prizes.

”From June 7 through July 5, the public can vote for their favorite Lots2Give video up to 3 times a day by visiting www.lots2give.com

“Big Lots is excited to extend a helping hand to schools in need of financial support in the communities we serve,” said CEO Steve Fishman. “We invite the public to join us in selecting the winners of our Lots2give video contest and contributing to an important cause.

Along with the Lots2Give video contest, participating schools will be the recipients of an in-store donation program. Now through July 5, customers can help selected schools by donating $1 or $5 at participating Big Lots stores. One hundred percent of donations will go to participating schools..

For more information and to watch videos and vote, please visit www.lots2give.com

Please help us by voting everyday!

After submitting an application, an essay and a solo recording, seven out of eight Holland students who applied were chosen to receive scholarships to attend the music camp.

"I'm super excited for the students to be going to this camp," said Rebecca Othmer, director of bands for Holland and Santa Fe Fundamental School.

The seven students awarded a scholarship, starting at $600, are Angela Cun, Jesus Villalobos, Marlene Perez, Arden Prado, Marysol Estrada, Dalia Huerta and Chad Reyes.

"I like playing music," said sixth-grader Villalobos, who plays the baritone. "I want to make my dad's dreams come true by playing in an orchestra for the movies one day."

Holland has been sending band members to the camp for five years.

Othmer encourages many of her students to apply for the camp each year, knowing many of them are not financially able to attend otherwise. "Most of the students can't afford it. They're even borrowing the school's instruments - they don't have their own," she said.

Othmer, who attended the camp herself when she was a junior high student, said she notices the changes in the band players after attending camp.

"They are phenomenally changed. Their attitude towards music is more appreciative," she said. "They become leaders in the class."

Sixth-grader Perez joins Villalobos as one of two band members in the beginning class at Holland and attending camp for the first time.

"I like band because I'm making new friends and learning an instrument," said Perez.

Perez hopes to enjoy socializing at camp as well as learning to better play the baritone after trying the trumpet.

"I'm happy I have those two students going to the camp and I'll have them (in band class) for two more years," said Othmer. "I get to see their progress."

A few advanced music class students will be making their final trip to Arrowbear as Holland students.

"I want to learn to play music that is harder (while at camp)," said Cun. "I really want to keep going with music in the future."

Eighth-grader Huerta, a flute and clarinet player, said she would like to become a musician or some type of artist.

"I played the clarinet at another school and I'm still getting used to the flute," she said.

Most of the band members are excited to perfect their craft.

"I hope to become a better musician so the advanced band can do more events," said seventh-grader Prado, a bass clarinet player. "(Performing at) Disneyland was one of my favorite (events)."

Other band students are just looking for a new adventure.

"I'm looking forward to making new friends (at camp)," said eighth-grader Reyes, a baritone sax player.

"I like being in nature," adds eighth-grade flute player Estrada.

Tuition for the camp is $750.