TULARE, Calif. (KMPH) -
A seven-year-old, South Valley girl is a hero after winning an online commercial contest, but she's not the only winner.
About 46 miles south of Fresno, at Mission Valley Elementary, her classmates are now cheering her name.
"My name is Ann Aileen DeSantiago and this is how you spell it: A-n-n A-i-l-e-e-n."
Remember that name and face. You may someday be seeing a lot more of both.
Ann Aileen is the winner of an online commercial contest on behalf of Mor Furniture For Less.
"Mor Furniture, honey that's the place to be."
It was Ann Aileen's energetic delivery, they say, that won her the attention of Mor Furniture officials. It's also what ultimately convinced the officials to declare Ann Aileen the winner of their contest.
"Mor...Mor that's what Mor is for. Hurry to Mor furniture and get what you need."
That victory won Ann Aileen $1,000 to spend on new furniture for her own bedroom, but that's not all. Ann Aileen also won a big check for her school — $2,500 worth.
Mission Valley Elementary principal Brian Hollingshead says he couldn't be happier. "Oh I thought it was wonderful. I thought it was a very good commercial. It's great advertising for them plus great advertising for our school."
Hollingshead says that money will help buy new playground equipment for the school that all the students can enjoy -- exactly what Ann Aileen says she wanted.
As for the experience itself, Ann Aileen says, she enjoyed it.
"It was really, really, really fun."
And what did she think of her own performance?
"I thought of it a beautiful little girl."
So do we, Ann Aileen, so do we.
