CHARLESTON (December 2, 2011) — Did you know your old cell phone can help out those serving our country? Eastern Illinois University Communications Studies student and Mattoon resident Korey Adkins recently took top honors in a statewide radio production contest promoting the program.

Adkins won first place in the Fall 2011 Best New Ad Radio Competition. Best New Ad is a partnership between the education and business communities. Companies assign projects in which students are challenged to create the "Best New Ad." This year's competition challenged students from around the state of Illinois to produce radio public service announcements promoting the Cell Phones for Soldiers Project. The project encourages the public to donate their old cell phones, which are then converted into calling cards that are distributed to military members serving around the world.

Korey's winning spot beat out 33 other entries in the competition. The contest offered a first prize of $300.

It's the second semester in a row that an EIU student has been a finalist in a Best New Ad contest. In the Spring of 2011, Monica Becker of Bartlett, Ill., was a finalist for her radio public service announcement promoting the Donate Life Illinois organ donation program.

For more information, contact Eastern's Department of Communication Studies at 217-581-2016.