DoSomething.org and VH1 have announced the winners for this year’s 2011 Do Something Awards.
Hosted by Glee star Jane Lynch, the ceremony honored and celebrated the nation’s best young world-changers who represent the pivotal “do-ers” in their field, cause or issue.
Celebrities such as Tyra Banks, David Beckham, Justin Bieber, Sophia Bush, Will Ferrell, Demi Lovato and Olivia Wilde were on-hand to receive awards in a variety of categories from ‘Do Something Movie Star’ to ‘Do Something Athlete’ for all they have done to inspire young people.
In addition to a night of celebrities and performances by Demi Lovato, Foster the People and OneRepublic featuring B.o.B, Sarah Cronk (18) of Bettendorf, Iowa received a grand prize of $100,000 for The Sparkle Effect. This is the largest and most prestigious prize in the world for young people and social change.
Cronk watched her older brother Charlie struggle to fit in during high school because of his disabilities. He was depressed and anxious, until the captain of the swim team invited him to join. Suddenly, the cool kids welcomed him, and he found a new group of friends. Inspired by Charlie, Cronk co-founded the first high school-based inclusive cheerleading squad in the nation. Today, The Sparkle Effect has generated 34 squads in 15 states and South Africa, encouraging a culture of acceptance in every community.
“I’m not sure that I’ve ever had a more proud and grateful experience in my twenty year career than helping produce this show,” said Nancy Lublin, CEO and Chief Old Person of DoSomething.org.
“It was so inspiring to see this mash-up of incredible people from the worlds of music, film, television and comedy sharing their personal experiences about what’s really important to them in fun yet poignant ways. I think our viewers will agree that the show was another signature pop culture moment for VH1, and I hope that it inspires them to, well, do something, for their communities,” said Tom Calderone, President, VH1.
The full list of awards include: Do Something Athlete, David Beckham; Do Something Docu-Style, Waiting for Superman; Do Something Movie Star, Olivia Wilde; Do Something Charity Song, “Make a Wave” by Demi Lovato and Joe Jonas; Do Something Music Artist, Justin Bieber; Do Something City, New York, NY; Do Something Reality TV Show, America’s Best Dance Crew; Do Something Comedian, Will Ferrell; Do Something Style, Tyra Banks; Do Something Concert, Taylor Swift's Speak Now Tour to Benefit Tornado Victims; Do Something TV Show, Glee; Do Something Festival, Coachella; Do Something TV Star, Demi Lovato; Do Something Couple, Jimmy Fallon and Stephen Colbert; Do Something Twitter, Sophia Bush; and Do Something Facebook, Robin Hood Foundation – Lady Gaga Giveaway.
