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Sea Monkeys Contest 2008

Used with permission of The Sea Monkey Clubhouse.

The contest this year was to come up with ideas for Sea-Monkey gear or to write an essay on why Sea-Monkeys are still as popular as they were 40 years ago.

And the winner is:
My Sea-Monkey Gear Items
Sea-Monkey "Time For School" Kit: I created the Sea-Monkey school kit. You will get a kit included with a school bus Sea-Monkeys tank along with the sea-monkey million bubble air pump and aqua leash decorated as pencils and pens!
Sea-Monkey Purse Carrier: Now you can go to the mall and take your Sea-Monkeys with you! In this purse there is many pockets for Cards and other things you may need to carry. And a larger plastic pocket that you can store your Sea-Monkeys in for a while!
Sea-Monkey CD: This CD comes with songs that get lazy Sea-Monkeys to get up and get healthy! Also, there are love songs that you get (Sea-Monkey Cupid's Arrow should be used with this too) that gets Shy Sea-Monkeys outgoing! There is also calming songs for when Sea-Monkeys are calming and Battle Song for Sea-Monkey Fights!
Sea-Monkey Birthday Set: This set will come with Some sea-monkey tanks for guests and plates, cake decorator, candles, napkins, hats, and some sea-monkey accessories for a brilliant Sea-Monkey Themed Birthday!

Honorable mention to:
The sea-rider is a Sea-monkey back pack! It should be made out of hard plastic (like a water bottles’ plastic), and should have 3 pockets one for food, medicine, etc., one for accessories such as the million bubble air pump, feeding spoon, etc., and one for other sea-monkey stuff.

Honorable mention to the following essays:

Essay:
I believe sea monkeys are as popular as they were 40 years ago because of their longevity, survival guarantee, the uniqueness of the animal, and of course the wide array of gear that is now available for them. As a child I remember seeing sea monkey advertisements in all of my Archie comic books. Who could resist getting a real pet for the low low price of $1.25, and one that could be “trained” to boot! With those adorable crowns, and ties, what child could resist? Parents around the world groaned as they saw the ads (mine included). My twin brother was fortunate and received one as a gift for our 8th birthday, but they never hatched. However 23+ years later, I just purchased our first Sea Monkey kit for my son on his 6th birthday, and while not exactly as advertised (no crown, cute little faces etc), they are definitely an intriguing pet for any child. The promise of instant life held great excitement for my son as he prepared his tank carefully for this “birth”. Adding the package to the tank and ever so carefully watching the tank for signs of life, was not only a great lesson in patience, but also a fantastic way for him to learn about life cycles. Each day we look at our Sea Monkeys with renewed excitement for what new changes have occurred. Watching them swimming around the tank feverishly is always entertaining! The weekly feeding is easy, and the tank never requires cleaning. My son is counting the days until his sea monkeys can be placed in the “portal” to be taken for the year end show and tell at school. If by some chance you do have a sea monkey tragedy, there is always the 2 year survival guarantee to fall back on. These little guys are popular and will stay that way because they really are the perfect pet for both young and old, families, teachers, professionals, and just about anyone else you can imagine!

Essay:
Sea-Monkeys have been popular for over 40 years. Because they are so enjoyable, right? So the big question is, WHY are sea-monkeys still popular over these years? Well, its not ONLY about why sea-monkeys are so enjoyable!
Sea-Monkeys are still popular over 40 years because they are enjoyable, instant pets, and many other reasons. Sea Monkeys are also popular because if you have any allergic reactions to some types of animals, Sea-Monkeys aren't covered in fur that can make you sneeze. Better yet, they can't spread fleas through the house. Also, they only need to be fed once a week, simple, right? Also, because they teach respect, responsibility, and the life-cycle of Sea Monkeys to young and old.
Sea-Monkeys are also popular because of the TV show that appears on TV from time to time about Sea-Monkeys! Apparently Sea-Monkeys are really popular if they make TV shows, clothing, and even Radio Shows about them! Also, because the Sea-Monkey tank creators are always making something new to collect and enjoy with you pet Sea-Monkeys! Sea-Monkeys also are popular because they are perfect for people that have short patience and absolutely cannot wait for pets to come, but with Sea-Monkeys, you get your pets instantly, right before your eyes! One last reason, they are easily loved and the tanks come in a HUGE variety so they will match even the craziest rooms.
Sea-Monkeys are amazing to have and many people enjoy them. I hope you all will get the chance to enjoy them also.

Essay:
Sea Monkeys are still as popular as ever because they're the perfect pet. They are cute and easy enough to take care of to be suitable for a child. They are fantastic pets for busy people because they only need to be fed once a week. Teachers love how quickly you can demonstrate the life cycle of Sea Monkeys. A Sea Monkey's tiny tank will fit into anyone's house and the variety of tanks available will fit into any décor. Sea Monkey merchandise is also highly collectible. One can't help but imagine their Sea Monkeys swimming happily in the latest greatest habitat. Sea Monkeys offer a touch of whimsy to an otherwise drab day of chores and demands. And for those of us lucky enough to pass a love of Sea Monkeys to our children, they offer us a chance to share our childhood memories with our children while helping them to make lasting memories of their own.

Essay by Brian:
I am forty-one years old, which makes me fortunate enough to remember the heyday of comic books and their famous ads. I still remember saving my coins and excitedly looking at ads for hypno-coins, X-Ray specs, GRIT magazine and, best of all, Sea Monkeys.
I think I got my first tank around 8 years of age. I remember the "micro-view ocean zoo" tank with its two large magnifying glasses in the lid. I distinctly remember using the Oxy-Mist tool to fill the water with bubbles. I don't remember how long that colony lasted, but the fond memories and decades-long love for these pets is still going strong.
Many people complain that the Sea Monkey ads were unrealistic and they claim they were disappointed to find out the Sea Monkeys didn't have faces, big smiles, blonde hair, and so on. Do these people actually think they were going to receive that? As a young boy, I knew the wonderful and comical drawings were simply good advertising. I was never upset about it. As a matter of fact, the actual sight of Artemia NYOS was fascinating enough since I had never seen such an animal before! I marveled that the product performed exactly as Transcience promised. I was utterly shocked to see dry powder turn to swimming dots! This was the coolest thing I had ever seen.
So, how does any of this explain the longevity of the Sea Monkey brand?
I can only speak from my perspective - that of an almost middle-aged man who is raising three kids who are approximately the same age I was when I first ordered Sea Monkeys.
For me, Sea Monkeys are incredibly nostalgic. They remind me of my childhood. They bring back fond memories of how I learned to take care of the first pets I ever owned, and I could do it without the help of my parents. I loved the fact that I could actually create and raise these pets on my own, and they didn't cost much at all.
Sea Monkeys are also incredibly fragile animals. One of the goals for Sea Monkeys is "raising the kindness quotient". Kindness is a rare attribute in 2008. The world is a mess; there are disasters and tragedies all around and people, in general, seem to get meaner each passing year. Watching a tank of Sea Monkeys happily swimming, mating, eating and even playing has a calming effect on me. They do remind me to be kind; they remind me to be careful; they remind me that it's ok to enjoy a "toy" now and then. And, one of my favorite things to do is give Sea Monkeys away. I gave over seven kits to neighborhood kids last year. It was a thrill to see the fascination all over again.
These are my thoughts on why Sea Monkeys are still the worlds' greatest pets, even after all these years.

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