6,500 People Support Environmental Responsibility, One Vote at a Time

But only one person will win a $45,000 Antarctica Cruise of a Lifetime

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Jul 23, 2010, 02:10 ET

WATERBURY, Vt., July 23 /PRNewswire/ -- Recently, Quark Expeditions and SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment launched a travel contest that invited North Americans to share their passion for the environment. The prize is a $45,000 icebreaker expedition for two to Antarctica accompanied by SeaWorld Animal Ambassador, Julie Scardina.

Nearly 140 people have posted why they should adventure with Julie. More than 6,500 people have shown their support by voting for their favorite entrant. Anyone may vote, but only people over the age of 21 are eligible to win. Therefore parents have been entering on behalf of their children. John Morlock entered for his daughter, Maureen, who is a high school student who wants to be an animal advocate like her idol, Julie Scardina.

James Carson, deployed on active service for the past three years, entered for his daughter, Ryan. Carson posted, "It's been her lifelong dream to travel to Antarctica, and seeing one of the last frontiers on our planet would literally complete her life. I cannot tell you how much this trip would mean to us. I miss my family so much. I truly want to experience this with her, especially since I've been away from her for so long. Please vote for both of us."

Competitors are using their social networks and public relations skills to garner support. Some are going door-to-door. Others are asking their local papers to publish a story about their efforts. Family and friends are called on to register and vote. There is still a month left to enter and to vote. The winner of the Adventure with Julie travel contest will be chosen by a committee that includes Julie Scardina, from the top five as chosen by popular vote.

The Antarctic Travel Prize

In addition to return airfare for two from the nearest international gateway to Ushuaia, Argentina, the prize includes a twin cabin aboard the icebreaker Kapitan Khlebnikov on the October 13 to 26, 2010 departure of the Emperor Penguins: Snow Hill Island Safari. Guests will spend 3 days at the most northerly Emperor Penguin rookery in the world, near Snow Hill Island in Antarctica's Weddell Sea.

SOURCE Quark Expeditions