Shoppers Nationwide Select 9/11 Tribute Photo as Picture That Best Captures America

Shoppers Nationwide Select 9/11 Tribute Photo as Picture That Best Captures America

		WINNING PHOTOGRAPH OF MACERICH COMPANY PHOTO CONTEST Jeanette Hamilton, winner of Macerich Company’s national photo contest "My America, My View" shared a moving photo of a 9/11 tribute in NYC which, in her view, captured "The Spirit of America." (PRNewsFoto)[TC AS] SANTA MONICA, CA USA

'Spirit of America' Voted National Winner of the 'My America, My View' Photo Contest at Macerich Malls SANTA MONICA, Calif., Sept. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Shoppers often voice their opinions using their wallets, but this summer, they were given a new form of expression. More than 50 Macerich Company malls from coast to coast invited shoppers to share how they see America through the "My America, My View" photo contest as part of the fourth annual "An Old Glory*ous Celebration," a summer- long celebration of patriotism at the malls. After three months of searching for the picture that best captures their view of America, the shoppers have spoken, voting "The Spirit of America" the national contest winner. (Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20030910/DAW026 ) Taken by Jeanette Hamilton of Roseville, Michigan in February 2003, the photo delivers a stirring post 9/11 scene from New York City. In the photo, taken amid the city's buildings, a large cross rises up against the backdrop of a heart decorated with the stars and stripes. In the foreground, a chain link fence draped with a sign saying "Never Forget" surrounds the area below the cross. "Seeing the heart behind the cross was such a moving experience for me and one that I wanted to remember forever," said Hamilton. "I am happy that other people have been touched by the photo and see it as an expression of America." Beginning Memorial Day, shoppers submitted photos that they felt best expressed their view of America to the contest through local mall websites. Close to 1,500 photos were submitted between May 26 and July 6. Shoppers were then able to go online and vote for their favorite photo, electing the national contest winner. Hamilton's photo received the most national votes, making her the winner of a $5,000 voucher to explore America. "This summer, we wanted to give our neighbors an opportunity to share the things that make the country meaningful to them," said Susan Valentine, senior vice president of marketing for the Macerich Company. "The contest really gave people a way to connect through a love for America, and I want to congratulate Jeanette Hamilton and thank her for sharing such a meaningful photo with us." The Macerich Company is a fully integrated self-managed and self- administered real estate investment trust, which focuses on the acquisition, leasing, management, redevelopment and development of regional malls and community centers throughout the United States. The Company is the sole general partner and owns an 82% ownership interest in The Macerich Partnership, L.P. Macerich now owns 57 million square feet of retail real estate, including interests in 56 regional malls. Additional information about The Macerich Company can be obtained from the Company's website at http://www.macerich.com .