Kevin Byrne '00 selected 'Month at the Museum 2' winner
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The votes are in, the judges have deliberated, and Kevin Byrne ’00 has been chosen as the winner of Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry “Month at the Museum 2” contest.
Byrne, 33, was one of six finalists chosen from hundreds of applications. As the winner, he will spend 30 days living, eating and sleeping inside the Hyde Park museum. No space will be off limits for Byrne, who will share his experiences via social media. Byrne’s first day at the museum begins Oct. 19 and ends Nov. 17. He will take home $10,000 at the end of his experience.
“I’m thrilled. The news is still sinking in and today’s been a whirlwind. Meeting the other finalists was a real pleasure; they’re all great people,” said Byrne.
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Byrne, a biology major, worked as an admissions tour guide during his undergraduate years at William & Mary. As part of his 60-second video to enter the contest, Byrne showed online voters how he integrates science into his daily life from decorating his apartment walls with test tubs to painting in pixilation.
All six finalists attended a breakfast this morning hosted by the museum. They were asked to conduct an experiment - only the winner would have a pumpkin with a balloon on the inside filled with hydrogen. Kevin's pumpkin exploded when he lit it with a blowtorch. The announcement was made live at 10:30 a.m. CT.
