WASHINGTON, Oct. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Cox Communications will bring the C-SPAN Civics Bus and crew to Deep Creek Middle School on October 6, 2009 and I.C. Norcom High School on October 7, 2009 to speak with students and teachers about C-SPAN's 2010 StudentCam documentary film competition and C-SPAN's public affairs coverage.

StudentCam is an annual documentary competition that encourages students to create a short film about issues affecting their communities and nation. This year's theme asks middle and high school students to address: "One of our country's greatest strengths" or "A challenge the country is facing."

A total of $50,000 will be awarded in cash prizes, which includes 75 student awards and 11 teacher awards. The Grand Prize winner with the best overall entry will be awarded $5,000, with multiple cash prize awards of $250, $500, $750, $1,500, and $3,000 to students in both middle and high school categories.

The deadline for this year's competition is January 20. Additional details can be found at www.studentcam.org

During the visits to Deep Creek Middle School and I.C. Norcom High School, students and faculty will have the opportunity to view past StudentCam entries and ask any questions they may have about this year's competition. In addition, they will have the opportunity to learn about public affairs programming on C-SPAN while aboard the C-SPAN Civics Bus.

The Bus and crew are traveling to schools across the country discussing StudentCam and C-SPAN's free educational resources, and will be at Deep Creek Middle School and I.C. Norcom High School during the following hours:

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

• Deep Creek Middle School, 1955 Deal Dr., Chesapeake, VA 23323, 8:45 am to 1:10 pm
  

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

• I.C. Norcom High School, 1801 London Blvd., Portsmouth, VA 23704, 8 am to 10 am
  

"StudentCam is an opportunity for students to have a voice, and to explore issues in their community that they care deeply about. We're thrilled to talk to Deep Creek Middle School and I.C. Norcom High School students, and encourage them to make their voices heard in this year's competition," said Vanessa Bailey, Marketing Representative for C-SPAN.

"We are thrilled to have the opportunity to again work with C-SPAN on this cooperative initiative to change the lives of youth and to expand their educational experiences. In 2008, we held extremely successful initiatives with C-SPAN in their Campaign in the Commonwealth Educational tour. . . We are equally excited about this year's partnership effort," said Felicia Blow, Director of Public Affairs for Cox.

Last year's competition asked students, "What is the most urgent issue for the new president to address after taking office, and why?" Over 1,900 students from 41 states, the District of Columbia, and Guam submitted entries. Sawyer Bowman, a 10th grade student at Woodlawn School in Davidson, NC, won Grand Prize in C-SPAN's 2009 "StudentCam" competition, and received a personal message of congratulations from President Barack Obama.

About StudentCam:

The annual competition is sponsored by C-SPAN Classroom, www.c-spanclassroom.org, a free membership service dedicated to support educators' use of C-SPAN in their classes or for research.

About Cox Communications

Cox Communications is a broadband communications and entertainment company, providing advanced digital video, Internet, telephone and wireless services over its own nationwide IP network. The third-largest U.S. cable TV company, Cox serves 6.2 million residences and businesses. Cox Business is a facilities-based provider of voice, video and data solutions for commercial customers and Cox Media is a full-service provider of national and local cable spot and new media advertising. Cox Communications wholly owns and operates Travel Channel. Cox is known for pioneering efforts in cable telephone and commercial services, industry-leading customer care and its outstanding workplaces. For six years, Cox has been recognized as the top operator for women by Women in Cable Telecommunication; for four years, Cox has ranked among DiversityInc's Top 50 Companies for Diversity; and the company holds a perfect score in the Human Rights Campaign's Corporate Equality Index. More information about Cox Communications, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cox Enterprises, is available at www.cox.com and www.coxmedia.com.

About C-SPAN

C-SPAN, celebrating 30 years as America's political network of record, was created by America's cable companies as a public service in 1979. C-SPAN programs three public affairs television networks; C-SPAN Radio, a Washington, D.C. radio station distributed nationally by XM Satellite Radio; and a video-rich website. C-SPAN is currently available in over 95 million cable and satellite households. For more information, visit www.c-span.org.

About the C-SPAN Civics Bus

In 1993, C-SPAN launched its Bus program as a way to bring the world of public affairs into schools and communities nationwide. Working with cable television partners across the nation, C-SPAN's Buses have visited students, teachers, and citizens in all 50 states to discuss media, public affairs, and C-SPAN's programming and free educational resources. Visit www.c-span.org/schoolbus for scheduling and other information on the C-SPAN Civics Bus.

    Cox Communications Contact: Felicia Blow
                                (757) 222-8432
                                Felicia.Blow@cox.com

SOURCE Cox Communications