Deserving Teen Gets Helping Hand

News release June 5, 2008

Deserving Teen Gets Helping Hand To Jump Back On Bike

Jenna Smith, a 16 year-old student from Auckland who battled a year-long cycling injury was today announced Clean & Clear Girlfriend of the Year for 2008.

The initiative, created by popular youth brand Clean & Clear and Girlfriend magazine, saw over 300 deserving New Zealand girls enter to win a $3000 grant to help them achieve their dreams and goals.

Readers were then encouraged to vote online for the entrant they believed had the most inspiring story – inspirational young cyclist Jenna Smith came out on top!

“I can’t believe I won against such tough competition,” says Jenna. “Every girl’s dream is important, but I’m stoked I won it.”

Jenna has made an amazing comeback from injury after breaking both of her arms last year in two separate crashes, one in which she was hit by a car while cycling in traffic.

It has taken her more than a year to recover, but Jenna’s passion for cycling meant as soon as she was able she was straight back on her bike!

As a result Jenna received the Massey Cycling team spirit award for her never-give-up attitude. Her determination also paid off at the recent North Harbour criterium races where the talented teenager took home a bronze and a silver medal.

“My ultimate goal is to represent New Zealand one day like Sarah Ulmer,” Jenna says. She also plans to spend the $3000 winnings on a new carbon bike which she says will help her to race better.

The Clean & Clear Girlfriend of the Year was introduced by New Zealand Girlfriend following its success for the past three years in Australia.

Girlfriend magazine editor Pamela Marker says the Clean & Clear Girlfriend of the Year competition is an excellent opportunity to recognize the talent and determination of the publication’s readers and reward them.

“It’s fantastic because we can publish teen’s stories and motivate readers to follow suit and have a dream for their own life,” she says.

“Clean & Clear and Girlfriend have come together for this initiative to encourage girls and their friends to be confident, empowered and to reach their full potential. This competition is the perfect platform to do just that,” Ms Marker says.

The initiative is also providing another contestant with an ‘Inspire Me’ party, drawn from the entrants of the competition. The winner and eight friends will be special guests at a party hosted by Girlfriend magazine and The Edge radio announcer Jay-Jay Feeney.

The winner of the party is Sophie Putze, a 15 year-old student from Papakura, Auckland, whose dream career is to become a fashion journalist.

“It feels amazing to win,”Sophie says. “I was completely shocked.”

Jay-Jay was voted as the celebrity to host the ‘Inspire Me’ party by Girlfriend readers and believes initiatives like the Clean & Clear Girlfriend of the Year are important.

“I wanted to be involved because I am inspired everyday and am right behind any enterprise that encourages the growth and goal setting of young women. We need to look after the future generations and support each other where we can.”

The ‘Inspire Me’ party is based on a theme of the winner’s choice, and with a passion for writing and reading magazines, Sophie’s party will be inspired by fashion and journalism.

ENDS

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