Las Vegas youngster scores victory for women everywhere

Seven-year-old Brittany Foster of Henderson is tired of being on TV. But, that's only because her mother, Sabrina, has watched her daughter's appearance on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" numerous times.

"I taped the show and I watch it all the time," said Sabrina with a laugh. "Brittany says, 'Mom, I'm so sick of seeing myself on TV.' "

On the Nov. 8 episode, Brittany was one of three youths featured on the show, which frequently spotlights kids and their inventions.

Brittany, a second-grader at Lamping Elementary School, was selected to appear for her "E.Z.P." invention, a device that helps boys keep the toilet seat clean. The invention consists of two tubes connected together that run down into the toilet. One end of the device is attached to the toilet lid.

Brittany said she came up with the invention because her brothers were "always going on the toilet seat."

Earlier this year, Brittany's father, Craig, attended a taping of "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" that featured children with their inventions. Craig and Sabrina submitted a tape of Brittany and her device at the end of September and learned their daughter had been selected to appear on the show before Halloween.

"The show paid for our airfare, hotel and car service," said Sabrina. "Brittany had her hair done and makeup done. It was quick and fast."

Brittany says she was "nervous and kind of excited" about being on the show.

"Ellen was really nice," said Brittany, who received a laptop from the show.

In other youth news:

* Two youth groups were awarded prizes for winning the inaugural WinterFest parade in Henderson Dec. 8.

The Aunt Polly Norton Rainbow Pledge Girls won the Best Costume Award for their toy-themed attire and received $1,000. The members of the nonprofit organization, which teaches 8- to 11-year-old girls leadership skills, were dressed as toy soldiers, dolls, monkeys, wooden blocks and a stuffed animal dog. The organization will donate $500 of its award to research for a cure for Alzheimer's disease, with the rest of the funds being used for a retreat.

Girl Scout Troop 239 won the Best Theme Award for its "How the Grinch Stole Christmas Sleigh" float. Troop 239 was awarded $2,000 and will use the prize money for an overnight trip to SeaWorld.

If you know of a worthy candidate for this column, mail information to Youth Spotlight, Las Vegas Review-Journal, P.O. Box 70, Las Vegas, NV 89125-0070, or send faxes to 383-4676.