11.06.03
OJC Launches WebEasel in Style, with Gifts
The mezzanine of Urbana's newest hot spot, Crane Alley, was packed as people strained to hear who won a free WebEasel license. OJC had offered the free license as part of a contest to celebrate the launch of WebEasel, a new software product guaranteed to revolutionize the way ordinary people use the web.
The contest, called "WebSite 9-1-1", encouraged local businesses and organizations to send in one paragraph answering the question "Why is keeping your website current important to Champaign County?". A multitude of entries were received, and each entry was initially scored to identify the top five entries. The five finalists for the WebEasel contest were:
- The Center for Women in Transition
- The 85% Coalition
- The Urban League of Champaign County
- The Illinois Student Environmental Network
- The Community United Church of Christ
These finalists were scored and weighed by a panel of judges representing all areas of the community. The judging panel included:
- Kathy Guthrie - Program Manager, Office of Volunteer Programs, University of Illinois
- Don Elmore - Publisher, The Paper
- Emory Oney - Executive Director, Champaign County Convention and Visitor's Bureau
- Heather Smith - Director of Marketing, News-Gazette
- Preston Williams - Deputy Superintendent, Urbana Public Schools
The difference between the contestant who came out on top and the one who came out last was only two points. While there was a clear winner by exactly 1 point, and our judging panel agreed on that winner, OJC agonized over how to reward all of these excellent organizations for their work in the community. Ultimately, OJC DECIDED TO AWARD A FREE LICENSE, VALUED AT $1700, TO ALL FIVE FINALISTS. To reward the one point that pushed the Grand Prize winner over the top, that winner received free access to WebEasel FOR LIFE. The runners-up will be guaranteed WebEasel's lowest monthly usage fee for the duration of their use of WebEasel.
The runners-up for the contest were:
- The Center for Women in Transition, represented by Kathy Sims
- The 85% Coalition, represented by Lori Serb
- The Illinois Student Environmental Network, represented by Angela Miller
- The Community United Church of Christ, represented by Helene Dickel
The Grand Prize winner was The Urban League of Champaign County, represented by Laurie Bonnett.
In addition, OJC decided to award all other contestants with a 50% discount on the WebEasel license. Emotion was high as these gifts were announced. All were excited to get started with WebEasel immediately - and more drinks were had in celebration.