State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Jack O’Connell, today announced the second annual Dreamers Challenge Scholarship sponsored by The California Museum, Comcast, and the California State Fair.

High school seniors graduating in 2011 are eligible to compete for the cash prize. One senior from both Northern and Southern California will be awarded $5,000 each, underwritten by Comcast.

“California graduating high school seniors who have an idea, a dream, an inspiration about how to make the world, the nation, or their state a better place are invited to participate in this year’s Dreamers Challenge,” State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell said. “Young people have fresh ideas and unique perspectives that can be instrumental in improving all of our lives. I applaud Comcast for underwriting the scholarship awards for this contest and helping to make the dream of a college education a reality for two student winners.”

The Dreamers Challenge scholarship was inspired by the California Hall of Fame that inducts extraordinary Californians that have made distinguished achievements in many different fields. The Dreamers Challenge asks a new generation of visionaries how their dream will leave a lasting mark on the state, nation, and the world. Participants can respond in a variety of mediums based on their own styles and talents, including but not limited to: paintings, poetry, videos, musical creations, essays and Power Point presentations.

First Lady Maria Shriver will recognize the winners at the 2010 California Hall of Fame induction ceremony in December.

The California Museum will begin officially accepting submissions June 1, 2010. Entries must be postmarked no later than October 15, 2010.

For more information on the rules of the scholarship and how to submit entries, visit the Dreamers Challenge Web page at http://dreamerschallenge.org/. To visit The California Museum Web site, please go to http://www.californiamuseum.org/.