The results are in for the Paramount Contest, and the grand prize winner was Stacey Yesenosky who submitted a near-perfect contest entry form. What was the key to her success?
"I've always had a strong interest in theater, so when I saw this contest advertised, I took it as an opportunity to learn more about something I already love," Yesenosky said. She started her research following the hints on the library's Twitter feed. "Eventually I got stuck, so I went to the Reference Desk."
From the Reference Desk she received more contest hints and more information about helpful resources. The Emerson College Archives proved to be a valuable source of research material. "The archives were actually really helpful. I should have gone there first." Archivist Christina Zamon noted that Yesenosky was the only contest participant to take advantage of this resource.
Yesenosky hails from New York City originally and is studying Arts Management at Emerson, "a major that has yet to be created," she explains. Her interest in theater and the arts motivated her to work on the Paramount Contest. "I got a little obsessed with it, I admit," she said. "Once I started, I just had to finish it."
Prior to beginning the contest, Yesenosky had only been familiar with some of the more notable early American actors on the Paramount wall, such as Charlie Chaplin and Harry Houdini. To complete the contest, she explored many research opportunities. "The most fun was finding the NYPL [New York Public Library] Digital Library," she said. "I'm from New York and I go to the library all the time and I never even knew that existed. I found several images from plays I loved with people from the contest in them. It was a great experience."
Congratulations again to our winner, Stacey Yesenosky! And many thanks to all who participated! To find out who's who on the actor's wall, head over to the Paramount Center in the near future when the key will be displayed.