TWO LUCKY TEENS WIN THE FOX AND JCPENNEY "CLAIM TO FAME" CONTEST

Winners from Maine and Texas Are Set to Present At THE 2005 TEEN CHOICE AWARDS on FOX

Two teenagers have been chosen as the winners of the 2005 "Claim to Fame" contest presented by FOX and JCPENNEY. Josh Labbe, 17, of Buxton, ME, and Laura Utt, 18, of Austin, TX, were selected to attend the August 14 taping of THE 2005 TEEN CHOICE AWARDS. Their special duties will include the presentation of trophies on-stage and the escorting of celebrity winners off-stage. Additionally, they will provide assistance backstage and attend the post-show party.

THE 2005 TEEN CHOICE AWARDS airing Tuesday, Aug. 16 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX celebrates the hottest teen icons in film, television, music, sports and fashion. The nominees are chosen and voted for by American teenagers throughout the United States.

"This is the chance of a lifetime � a real dream," said Labbe, who has been preparing for such an opportunity in middle school and high school. Labbe is hoping to follow in the successful footsteps of past "Claim to Fame" winner Jared Padalecki, who has since catapulted his opportunity into an acting career, most recently appearing in "House of Wax."

Utt, who loves to entertain people, says becoming a trophy presenter is a life-changing event. She is looking forward to meeting Amanda Bynes, since she loves her sense of humor.

The "Claim to Fame" contest kicked off Friday, July 1. Thirteen- to 19-year-olds were asked to submit a color photo and brief essay explaining why they would make a good trophy presenter. After the nationwide search that also included "Claim to Fame" booths in 20 cities across the country, the polls closed on Monday, July 25, and the two presenters were selected.

Hilary Duff and Rob Schneider are set to host the seventh annual awards. Additional celebrities scheduled to appear at THE 2005 TEEN CHOICE AWARDS include Gwen Stefani, Sandra Bullock, Paris Hilton, Jessica Alba, Eva Longoria, Rachel Bilson, Wilmer Valderrama, Jesse Metcalfe, Ryan Seacrest, Eva Mendes, Ashlee Simpson, Jesse McCartney and Tyler Hilton.

Fans voted for their favorite nominees by logging on to www.teenpeople.com, where they were able to cast their ballots for their favorite celebrities in film, television, music, sports and fashion. Awards will be given in such categories as Choice Breakout TV Show, Choice Movie Chemistry, Choice Reality/Variety Show, Choice Breakout Artist, Choice Male Hottie, Choice Female Athlete, Choice Liplock and Choice TV Sidekick.

The 2005 TEEN CHOICE AWARDS is executive-produced by Bob Bain (THE BILLBOARD MUSIC AWARDS) and Mike Burg. Paul Flattery serves as producer. Greg Sills serves as supervising producer.

About JCPENNEY:
J. C. Penney Corporation, Inc., the wholly owned operating subsidiary of J. C. Penney Company, Inc., is one of America's largest department store, catalog, and e-commerce retailers, employing approximately 150,000 associates. As of April 30, 2005, J. C. Penney Corporation, Inc. operated 1,017 JCPenney department stores throughout the United States and Puerto Rico. JCPenney is the nation's largest catalog merchant of general merchandise, and jcpenney.com is one of the largest apparel and home furnishings sites on the Internet.