C-SPAN president interviews PA Cyber student Alan Shimp

WASHINGTON, May 3, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- C-SPAN is to air a taped interview with Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School student Alan Shimp tomorrow, May 4, at 10 a.m.

Shimp and two other winners in C-SPAN's "Message to the President" video contest were hosted in Washington, D.C., last weekend for the interview session with Susan Swain, president and co-chief operating officer of the C-SPAN public affairs television network.

"I thought they would go easy on him in the interview but Susan Swain asked some very tough questions," said Alan's dad Ed Shimp. "Alan held up just fine and added a little comic relief. It was an amazing experience for him in D.C."

Alan Shimp is to be presented a check for $3,000 from C-SPAN for his winning video at a public awards ceremony on Thursday, May 16, at 9 a.m. at the Centre County/Penn State Visitor Center, 800 E. Park Ave., State College, Pa.,16803.

State Sen. Jake Corman (R-34), state Rep. Kerry A. Benninghoff (R-171) and PA Cyber school officials are to be on hand to congratulate Shimp and his parents Ed and Ginger Shimp of State College. Following the ceremony, a C-SPAN mobile educational vehicle will be available at the site for the public to tour.

Shimp, 11, is an accelerated student taking sophomore courses. Competing against high school students, he won national first place, high school division, in the C-SPAN StudentCam "Message to the President" contest on the topic "What's the most important issue the president should consider in 2013?"

The message in Shimp's video is that his generation had no vote when the current $16 trillion national debt was run up, but will have to help pay it off. "That's taxation without representation," he said in the winning 8-minute video, "Free Candy."

PA Cyber Charter School, Pennsylvania's first and most successful statewide K-12 online public school, is now enrolling for the 2013-2014 school year. The website is www.pacyber.org and toll-free telephone is 1.888.PACYBER (1.888.722.9237).

Contact Jill Valentine, 724.624.0473

SOURCE PA Cyber Charter School