no stupid answers

Answers.com will host the 2012 Leap to Win AnswerThon for two days: February 25th through Feb 26th. The contest will begin at 12:00 am ET on the 25^th and end at 11:59 pm ET on the 26th!

Don’t miss this leap into the new year event! Win up to $1800 in prizes! There is plenty of opportunity to win in either the 1st, 2^nd or 3^rd place or as a runner up.

The goal is to answer as many questions as possible in three sentences or more. Participants with the best answers, both accurate and grammatically correct, will be eligible. In order for your answers to be counted and to be eligible for prizes, you must read the rules and sign up to participate at Leap to Win on the Answers.com website.

This week our featured contributor is AwakeTonight. Her curiosity for the world is boundless and her humanity is profound. This teen Supervisor from Indiana dreams of visiting Israel and Scandinavia. She also wants to become an anesthesiologist. She is very active on our site with badges for her missions as a Special Project Assistant and as a  Wiki Influential Teen. She is a Category Supervisor and has over 200,000 contributions! Learn more about Anna in this interview and find out how she came up with her unique username.

First Name: My first name is Anna.

Occupation: I’m still in my mid-teens. However, I do tutor and babysit. In the future, I would like to be an anesthesiologist.

What is your Answers.com username and how did it come about?

My Answers.com username is AwakeTonight. My two favorite bands are Skillet and TobyMac. Skillet released an album called “Awake” and TobyMac released an album called “Tonight.” The two went on tour together, and the tour was called “AwakeTonight.” The concert was amazing!

Where in the world do you hail from and what makes this place special?

I live on planet Earth, USA, Indiana. As Dorothy says, “There’s no place like home!”

What is your favorite activity on the site? Least favorite?

My favorite activity is working on my Special Project Assistant missions and working in the categories I supervise. I enjoy Answers.com because I love to learn and I love to help others who want to learn. I love the whole purpose of Answers.com: knowledge! I hate seeing vandalism, racist and bigoted answers on the site! Other than that, what’s not to love?

What do you find most challenging as an Answers.com Supervisor?

I think the challenge is to keep up with everything. Answers.com is always growing and  has an endless stream of questions. Many of the questions are already answered and just need to be merged.

If you were inviting someone to join Answers.com, what reason(s) would you give them to convince them they would love being a part of our community?

I’d recommend Answers.com to anyone who loves to learn, who loves to give knowledge or advice, or who loves a random fact. It is also a place where you can meet amazing Supervisors and Contributors who go above-and-beyond to make the site an easy place to get information.

What life accomplishments are you proud of?

I am proud of all that I know and am, and of being an honor roll student. I’m proud of always sticking up for my beliefs and for others.  As my Dad says, “I have a best friend. It’s me!”

Who is your favorite poet?  Favorite poem and why?

I don’t exactly have a favorite poet. My favorite poem, if this would count (it is kind of a quote-in-poem format), would probably be “First They Came” by Martin Niemöller. I’m not really into poetry.

What makes you unique?

One interesting thing about me is that I enjoy every genre of music from rap to classic to rock to contemporary to worship. However, all of the music has to be clean. I prefer survival stories over romantic-comedies.  I can’t stand anything romance-y…with exceptions! I also like history class because you can learn from others and not make similar mistakes.

How do you most enjoy using your creativity and why?

I think I show my creativity best when you sit me in front of a computer. I can make colorful sheets, cards, and other things. I can also take any game (no matter how boring), twist the rules, and make it one of the ‘funnest’ games!

What are your special interests, hobbies, or collections?

I’m interested in the Holocaust. Seeing human beings at their best and worst is amazing to me. I am also interested in the human body. I think it is amazing how your body works. Hobbies include my iTouch, movies, TV, listening to music, reading my Bible, badminton, researching, playing games with my family: Scattergories, Apples to Apples and chess are my favorites! And, of course, Answers.com! I also like watching survival stories with my sisters and then having those “who-could-last-longer-in-the-middle-of-nowhere” debates with them.

What are you most passionate about in your life?

My family and my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

What is your favorite quote and why?

I like any quotes by Corrie ten Boom. She’s an amazing woman. I love Yehuda Bauer’s quote “Thou shalt not be a victim, thou shalt not be a perpetrator, but, above all, thou shalt not be a bystander.” In my opinion, bystanders are about as bad as perpetrators. I also love (it is set as the desktop to my laptop) Irena Sendler’s quote, “I was brought up to believe a person must be rescued when drowning, regardless of religion and nationality.”

Where is one place in the world you would love to visit and why?

Israel! I would love to visit Israel! As a Christian, I think it would be amazing to visit all the places that Jesus walked. I also would like to visit (in Israel) Yad Vashem and a Kosher McDonald’s. Denmark and Sweden would also be on my list.

Any final words about the site? Your role? The community?

Thanks to everyone who helps make Answers.com the best site in the world!

This week meet Winslot! A featured contributor that has a passion for reading. It only makes sense that his favorite category on Answers.com is Books and Literature. This Silver Contributor has answered over 1,000 questions! He loves Halloween because of the candy, and loves his home state, Michigan, because it has no extreme weather. Read on to learn more about Winslot.

First Name: My first name is Winslot

Occupation: I am a student.

What is your Answers.com username and how did it come about?

My username is Winslot. I came up with that name in 5th grade. I had won some contest that day and I have been using it ever since!

Where in the world do you hail from and what makes this place special?

I am from Michigan. Michigan is great because there are so many types of weather but no natural disasters: no floods, no tornadoes, no extreme weather. And, the sports teams are getting better.

What enticed you to join our community?

I joined Answers.com because I saw so many questions without answers. I knew the answers and wanted to help.

If you were inviting someone to join Answers.com, what reason(s) would you give them to convince them they would love being a part of our community?

I would tell them that they would be helping the community.

What accomplishments on Answers.com are you proud of?

I am happy being the 16th all-time asker of questions and I am proud that I have answered over a thousand questions on the website.

If you had three wishes, what would you wish for?

I would wish for world peace, 100 billion dollars, and to be the mayor of a small city.

What is your favorite holiday and why?

My favorite holiday is Halloween. I like Halloween because even though I may not go trick or treating, I  can still buy candy that I get to eat.

How do you most enjoy using your creativity and why?

I like to read because I like to imagine the things that the author is writing about.

What are you most passionate about in your life?

I am passionate about maintaining good grades in school.

What did you enjoy doing as a child that you still love to do?

I still like to read. I’ve been reading books voluntarily since second grade.

What is one quirky or interesting random fact about you that most people may not know?

My computer’s hard drive has broken 5 times!

Coinlvr11 (aka Jake) is a very active member on Answers.com. In less than a year, Jake has already made 10,000 contributions, completed 20 missions as a Special Project Assistant, and has earned a variety of badges that he proudly displays on his bio page.  His favorite categories include Coins and Paper Money and the Amish! Read his interview to learn more about him.

First Name:

My first name is Jacob but people just call me Jake.

Occupation:

I don’t have a job, but I guess my occupation would be a student.

What is your Answers.com username and how did it come about?

My username is Coinlvr11.  I thought of it because I like coins and the 11 makes it unique. It’s also easy and quick to type.

Where in the world do you hail from and what makes this place special?

I hail from Wayne County in Ohio. This place is special to me because I have a lot of good memories from when I was younger.

What accomplishments on Answers.com are you proud of?

I’m proud of my 10,000 contributions badge.

Do you see the glass half full or half empty?  Why?

I would say I see the glass as half full because that is what comes naturally to me. Half empty sounds unappreciative.

You are going to open a restaurant or specialty food shop.  What kind and why?

I would open an ice cream shop. Ice cream is so refreshing on hot summer days and it is a very good and quick snack.

Growing up, what was your favorite cartoon character and why?

I didn’t really have one but I liked anything that was funny.

What are your special interests, hobbies, or collections?

I like dogs. We have a hyper Miniature Schnauzer at home. I also like to play sports and go swimming.

Where is one place in the world you would love to visit and why?

I would love to go someplace in the western part of the United States. I always wanted to see the west and all the scenery it has to offer.

Do you have any final words about the site? Your role? The community?

I really enjoy the site and the Community Forum on the site. The users and Supervisors are very kind.

With a name like Pokesardinemaniac, it is clear that this Answers.com contributor likes Pokemon and sardines. But Jessica is an expert on more than Pokemon.  On Answers.com she is a Bronze Contributor and a Windclan Wikiwarrior.  Check out her contributions in the Greek and Roman Mythologies category.  This creative contributor loves to learn about the world around her and to write her own stories.  She is full of energy and dreams and we hope they all come true.

First Name:  My name is Jessica.

Occupation:  I am a middle school student.

What is your Answers.com username and how did it come about?

My username is Pokesardinemaniac.  When I first made my e-mail, I wanted it to represent my life in a nutshell.  I loved Pokemon and sardines (in olive oil), so I came up with Pokesardinemaniac.  Now every other account I have is either Pokesardinemaniac or Sardinemaniac.

Where in the world do you hail from and what makes this place special?

I live in the southeastern part of the United States and it’s awesome!  There are many landmarks and historical sites here.  There are also great people and friends!  Just don’t call us rednecks!

How did you discover Answers.com?

I found it a few years ago when I needed an answer to a homework question.  A few years later, I wanted to help contribute to Answers.com because it helped me so many times!

Do you have a favorite category? Least favorite?

I love to answer questions about Pokemon, Greek and Roman mythologies, and so much more.  I don’t have a least favorite though.  I try to answer every question I know the answer to.  I also like to edit them.

If you were inviting someone to join Answers.com, what reason(s) would you give them to convince them they would love being a part of our community?

I would tell them it’s really fun and awesome! It’s a place where you can find new knowledge, talk, and speak your opinions!

What accomplishments on Answers.com are you proud of?

I’m proud that I try to give good answers to questions and I became a WindClan WikiWarrior.

What was the last song you listened to?

It was probably a really stupid song or a Christmas song.

What makes you unique?

I love to write stories for my secret e-mail club and I think I’m really creative! I like to try new things and learn about different cultures. I’ll try ANY food, as long as it won’t kill me. I’m one of the few girls that plays Pokemon. I also love to read.

What are your special interests, hobbies, or collections?

I love Pokemon, food, reading, writing, and being myself! I love animals a lot. I like to collect old coins and money from other countries.

Who or what is your inspiration in life?

There are many people that inspire me!  Some of them are famous and some of them not so much.  Some inspiration comes from written things, like quotes or books.

Where is one place in the world you would love to visit and why?

I would love to visit Alaska! I love the cold, nature, and wide open spaces! I’m so tired of living in the city and hope that one day I will be able to see the true wilderness.

What is one quirky or interesting random fact about you that most people may not know?

Most people don’t know that I have a secret e-mail club.

This week, read about DeeLee, an Australian student and one of Answers.com’s most accomplished teens!  She is a Bronze Contributor, a Wiki Guide, a Special Project Assistant, a Wiki Greens and WIT member, and much more!  Check out her many badges and read about her adorable cat, Ellie, on her profile page!  You can also learn about her special interest in the Australian Military!

First Name:  That’s a good question, mmm…

Occupation: I am a student in 10th grade and I am also a “checkout chick” at a local supermarket. But at school, I usually finish my work fast so I can have more time to do the more important things (Answers.com!)

What is your Answers.com username and how did it come about?

My first name starts with a D (a clue to my first name!) and my middle name is Lee so that is how DeeLee came about. I had another username on Answers.com which was Star Dotti that came after my Dad suggested Star Dot.  I tweaked it a little to Star Dotty and finally to Star Dotti!

Where in the world do you hail from and what makes this place special?

I hail from the great state of South Australia! The area that I live in is well known for its wine grapes and wineries. Overall this is an awesome place to live. Before I lived in South Australia, I traveled down from the east side of Australia in a green bus after living in the northern territory for my first three years of life.

How did you discover Answers.com?

Like most people, I was doing just another Google search for a school project and I got hooked from then!

What is your favorite activity on the site? Least favorite?

I love answering and editing questions in my favorite categories. I also love talking and helping in the Community Forum!  But I don’t like seeing vandalism, spam or incorrect answers. I just don’t understand a vandal’s way of thinking.  For example, they think the question ‘How do you make pasta?’ would be funny if it you answered it with ‘poo.’ Seriously? Grow up!

Do you have a favorite category? Most despised category?

I don’t really have a despised category, but my favorite categories are Australia, Australia Military (I have knowledge of this topic because I participate in Australian Air Force Cadets and I would love to become an officer in the Royal Australian Air Force when I am older), Scattergories and Most Amusing Questions Ever Asked on WikiAnswers.

What enticed you to join our community?

Just the people I have met. Most people I have talked to on Answers.com are just plain amazing! I don’t want to list everyone I met because, first, there are too many, and  second, I don’t want to miss someone and hurt feelings!  And like most people I love to share my knowledge and opinions about any topic I can.  Because it is a “wiki!”

What accomplishments on Answers.com are you proud of?

Well…I spent a half an hour on a question which was “Who wants pizza?“ (I know it is kinda pointless answering a question like that, but I could not resist.)  Also I was very excited when I reached my Bronze Contributor status while I was doing a Special Project Assistant task.  Oh, I almost forgot creating and getting my unofficial WikiMilitary group up and running and getting my first member. It’s still only us two so anyone is welcome to submit an application to join! And of course, joining the Special Project Assistants, Wiki Influential Teens and the user-created unofficial group called Wiki Greens!

What is your favorite type of music? Favorite band or artist?

My favorite kind of music is Classic Australian (I don’t think that is a genre but you kinda get the picture) I love Midnight Oil and my favorite song by them is Truganini.  The group also has the best music video! I also love Solid Rock by Goanna and Muse!  My favorite songs by Muse are Assassin, Exo-Politics, Knights of Cydonia, Neutron Star Collision and Uprising!  But my favorite song of all time is Great Southern Land by Icehouse.  This song is in my favorite movie, Young Einstein!  Many people my age have not heard of my favorite songs because they are “so old!”

What is your favorite holiday and why?

I love Christmas! The reason for that is I love to see the reaction that people get when they open gifts from me.  Oh, and I also like receiving gifts as well!  I also love Easter with all the chocolate. Oh, forget it! I love all the holidays because it makes the year interesting. Imagine a year without holidays? No Christmas, no Easter, no birthdays. That would be pretty boring!

Are you a candy, cake, or pie person? What is your favorite?

I am leaning more towards candy (no mint!) But I love chocolate!  Can I be a chocolate person?  M&M’s Crispy all the way!

How do you most enjoy using your creativity and why?

I love drawing and computer artwork.  I made the WikiMilitary pictures on Photoshop from a picture of the orange guy for the badges and I also made personalized banners with the WikiAnswers badges!  I also love writing and knitting, but I have a short attention span and I never finish anything!

What did you enjoy doing as a child that you still love to do?

When I was a child I absolutely loved finger painting and drawing, even though I don’t have time to finger paint anymore, I still love to draw!  Also when I was a child I loved to watch The Teletubbies, The Wiggles (until Greg left due to illness!) and The Hooleys Dooley’s.  To the people from overseas won’t know these shows, Google them!

What is one quirky or interesting random fact about you that most people may not know?

My first word was uh-oh, I love Wallace and Gromit, and I did Kindy (early school) by correspondence because I was traveling around Australia in a bus when I was 3 and 4.   I did karate in reception (the grade before grade one) but did not make it to white belt!  In the Australian Air Force Cadets, I love doing drill (marching) when no one else does and like most cadets I love fieldcraft (camping and learning stealth skills)!   I have a habit of typing “!” anywhere I can and also I love putting side comments in brackets!  (You have probably already realized this!)  And last, but definitely not least, (I know you have heard that saying millions of times) I am a confirmed WikiHolic. (That’s no secret!)  Proof?  I relate to most of the symptoms on the list!  (I just realized the question said one fact…whoops!)