I'd like to thank the 95 individuals at AZA-accredited facilities who took the time to submit videos for the AZA "Find Our Heroes" video contest. My fellow judges and I enjoyed watching each one. One of AZA's strategic promises is to tell powerful stories, and each submission did precisely that. The AZA community's enthusiasm and dedication to our profession will assure us all a bright future.
We did, however, have to narrow the choices down to 10 videos for the public voting contest. I'm excited to share with you our ten finalists!
They are:
• Amanda from Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium
• Amy from Oklahoma City Zoo
• Andie from Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden
• Ben from Dallas Zoo
• Donnie from San Diego Zoo Global
• Jasmine from Seattle Aquarium
• Josh from Oklahoma City Zoo
• Kate from National Aquarium
• Marcus from San Diego Zoo Safari Park
• Rachael from Topeka Zoo
Please join me in congratulating all the entrants into the "Find Our Heroes" video contest, and especially the ten finalists. Please consider sharing the videos and voting page with your colleagues, family, and friends. The online vote will be the primary factor the judges use to select our final four Heroes, who will be featured in our next advertisement and announced at the AZA Annual Conference on September 26.
I am very proud to be a part of the AZA community and am excited to share the videos with everyone I know. I hope you will consider doing so, too!