Photo Credit: Noel Lanier
Warner Bros. Consumer Products and DC Entertainment Announce the 2016 Superman Hall of Heroes Inductees Including NASCAR’s Jimmie Johnson
Jimmie Johnson, Medal of Honor Recipient Edward Byers Jr., Early Childhood Educator Cynthia Knight and 2015 National Teacher of the Year Shanna Peeples Honored as This Year’s Heroes
LOS ANGELES (June 8, 2016) ––Warner Bros. Consumer Products (WBCP) and DC Entertainment today announced this year’s 2016 Superman Hall of Heroes inductees including a military hero, an early childhood education expert, a racing icon and a passionate educator. The new inductees join thousands of everyday heroes who have been nominated for the Superman Hall of Heroes, an online gift-giving portal that empowers consumers to honor their personal heroes – those who have made a positive impact on their lives or the lives of others.
Each year, the Superman Hall of Heroes program inducts a new class of nationally recognized heroes from all walks of life. This year’s honorees include:
Jimmie Johnson – Superman Hall of Heroes inductee Jimmie Johnson is a racing icon. Throughouthis career in motorsports, he has able to win at every level. At the highest level in NASCAR, Johnson has accumulated six championships and 77 wins, third and seventh respectably. While he is a fierce competitor, his accomplishments reach far beyond the track. The Jimmie Johnson Foundation is dedicated to assisting children, families and communities in need throughout the United States. To date, more than $8.8 million has been contributed to various organizations. The foundation currently focuses on K-12 public education.
Shanna Peeples – Superman Hall of Heroes inductee Shanna Peeples is the 2015 National Teacher of the Year, earning this honor for her work with students who are refugees at Palo Duro High School in Amarillo, Texas. As the 2015 National Teacher of the Year, Peeples is shaping the conversation in this country about working with students in poverty, and those who have already faced extreme challenges in their young lives. Through a variety of teaching methods, Peeples reaches her students and helps them achieve their full potential far beyond her classroom walls.
Cynthia Knight – Superman Hall of Heroes inductee Cynthia Knight has dedicated her life to developing the social, emotional, physical and intellectual of a child. Knight has spent over 30 years developing her one of a kind approach to early childhood education and has the track record to prove it. Students that complete her preschool class have the ability to read, write and solve math problems three to four grade levels past their age. Cynthia is currently based in Charlotte, NC at Castles Day Care Academy.
Edward Byers, Jr. – Superman Hall of Heroes inductee Edward Byers, Jr. is a true American Hero. His undaunted courage, intrepid fighting spirit, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of near certain death; Chief Petty Officer Byers reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He was awarded the Medal of Honor on February 29, 2016 for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as a Hostage Rescue Force Team Member in Afghanistan in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM from 8 to 9 December 2012.
Inspired by Superman and the character attributes that define the world’s first and most recognized Super Hero — an American icon who represents unwavering morals and an endless pursuit of truth and justice — the Superman Hall of Heroes is a gift–giving program that offers a fun and inspirational way for fans to pay tribute to their heroes by submitting their photo and story online to www.SupermanHallofHeroes.com where it will be showcased in perpetuity. As part of their tribute, consumers can choose from multiple gift–giving options and levels.
In the two years since its launch, thousands of everyday heroes have been nominated for the Superman Hall of Heroes, sharing their stories of bravery, loyalty, philanthropy and selfless service.
The Superman Hall of Heroes program continues to spread goodwill throughout the year with The Red Cape Crew, a community outreach initiative that performs random acts of kindness in markets across the country. The Red Cape Crew contributes to local community efforts and follows the examples set by heroes to make the world a better place, one good deed at a time. Fans can volunteer with and follow The Red Cape Crew at www.SupermanHallofHeroes.com/redcapecrew.
Ranging in price from $4.99 to $59.95, Superman Hall of Heroes offers unique gift giving packages available at multiple options and levels, giving consumers the opportunity to pay tribute to those who have made a positive impact on their lives or the lives of others. Each package comes with an induction certificate and permanent listing in the Superman Hall of Heroes. Additional package options include apparel, accessories, and even a personalized Superman Hall of Heroes trophy. The Superman Hall of Heroes online gift-giving program is currently only available to residents in the United States.
About Superman Hall of Heroes
Superman Hall of Heroes is an online initiative that empowers fans to honor personal heroes that have made a positive impact on their lives or the lives of others. Inspired by Superman and designed to honor the values the iconic super hero champions, the Superman Hall of Heroes program offers a fun and inspirational way for fans to pay tribute to their heroes by submitting their photo and story online to www.SupermanHallofHeroes.com where it will be showcased in perpetuity.
About Warner Bros. Consumer Products
Warner Bros. Consumer Products, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, is one of the leading licensing and retail merchandising organizations in the world.
About DC Entertainment
DC Entertainment, home to iconic brands DC Comics (Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, The Flash), Vertigo (Sandman, Fables) and MAD, is the creative division charged with strategically integrating its content across Warner Bros. Entertainment and Time Warner. DC Entertainment works in concert with many key Warner Bros. divisions to unleash its stories and characters across all media, including but not limited to film, television, consumer products, home entertainment and interactive games. Publishing thousands of comic books, graphic novels and magazines each year, DC Entertainment is the largest English–language publisher of comics in the world.
