Norway, Maine Girl is s Finalist in ‘American Girl’ Doll Video Contest

Nine-year old Kaylynn Johnson of Norway, Maine is one of six nationwide finalists in the 'Caroline's Share The Hero In You' video story contest by American Girl. The contest is promoting American Girl's latest historical doll, Caroline Abbott, a fictional character, and her story of bravery in the War of 1812.Girls were invited to create and submit a video clip about a time when they felt like an everyday hero. Kaylynn helped write, act and edit the video to explain her 'Boxes for Bracelets' project to help Haitian children. When the January 2010 earthquake devastated Haiti, Kaylynn decided to raise awareness for The Apparent Project in Haiti, an artisan guild that uses discarded materials such as cereal boxes to create jewelry, journals and home decor items. The money from selling those items pays for children's food, shelter and education.

Kaylynn collects cereal boxes and sends them to Haiti where they are made into bracelets and necklaces and sold to help keep families together. She has sent out more than 400 boxes in a year. She also spends many hours making local presentations to raise awareness for the plight of the Haitians and to collect more boxes for the project.

As a video contest finalist, Kaylynn has won a Caroline Abbott doll. The grand prize winner will be announced this Sunday and receive a trip for four to Washington D.C., a visit to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History and other prizes.