KSS Kohls Corporation

Kohl�s Department Store celebrates personal triumph through transformation with the announcement of the ten finalists in their Transformation Nation essay contest. Kohl�s asked �What is the most important transformation in your life and how has it impacted you?� and men and women hailing from across America answered. Over 5,000 entries were submitted, which judges narrowed down to the ten most inspiring. Entries were judged on uniqueness and the impact of the transformation, along with the quality of writing. The finalists submitted their inspirational essays and are now vying for the grand prize through transformationnation.com. The heartening stories of people aspiring to overcome life�s challenges will make voting for the winner a difficult decision. The essays encompassed those who overcame disease and injuries, persevered against all odds, and moved on from personal tragedy to enjoy life�s triumphs. Some essayists wrote about acknowledging their calling in life and the recognition of their children and grandchildren as their living legacy. Others wrote of improving their physical health and creating a better lifestyle for themselves through both a physical and emotional transformation. All finalists� essays truly serve to inspire greatness, or comfort, in others. The ten finalist essays will be available online to read and judge from October 4 - 10. Consumers are invited to visit www.transformationnation.com to cast a vote for the most compelling transformation story. All finalists will be featured in planned segments on CBS News� The Early Show from September 28 � October 3. Each finalist will receive a $1,000 fashion and beauty makeover combined with a four day, three night trip to Los Angeles. The grand prize winner will be announced as part of a celebrity hosted fashion event at the Santa Monica Pier in California on Oct. 12, 2006. The well deserved winner will receive a $10,000 Kohl�s shopping spree, a trip for two to Paris, France and $500 spending money. "The personal transformation stories of the finalists are truly inspirational,� said Julie Gardner, senior vice president and chief brand officer, Kohl�s Department Stores. �It is Kohl�s� hope that the personal triumph the finalists share through their essays will inspire others to make a transformation in their own lives.� Top 10 Transformation Nation Essay Contest Finalists Jeanette (San Diego, CA) � Jeanette decided to stop multi-tasking and focus individually on each project at hand. She is accomplishing more each day because of this change. Lisa (Lufkin, TX) � Lisa put concerns of external appearance in perspective following the birth of a long-awaited child and the tragedy of her house burning down three days after bringing the baby home from the hospital. Natalee (Hewitt, TX) � Natalee realized her calling was to work with the elderly during a graduate school �role play� assignment designed to experience what it would be like to have a debilitating disease. Doris (Marietta, GA) � As family and friends gathered for the occasion of her 70th birthday, Doris watched her six grandchildren and realized they will serve as her living legacy. Their accomplishments impact her life more than anything. Rose (Windsor Heights, Iowa) � At age 19, Rose was diagnosed with Osterogenic Sarcoma resulting in amputation of her left leg. Following the surgery her parents were told she had 6 months to live. She was not told, and is now 36 years old. She has forged through life with a can-do attitude, not letting her loss of limb slow her down. Kelley (Tunkhannock, PA) � Motivated by the news she was pregnant, Kelly became determined to lose her excess weight and live a healthy life for her and her baby. Three years and two children later, she has gone from a size 26 to a size 4-5. Maryann (Fort Walton Beach, FL) � After being approached by the principal at her daughter�s school, Maryann became an art teacher and was inspired by her talented students. Julie (Edmonds, WA) � After being told her son had drowned, he was miraculously brought back to life. Julie now has a new lease on life and truly appreciates what matters. Jacquelyn (Saint Cloud, MN) � At 17 Jacquelyn was paralyzed in a car accident. She didn�t let the accident stop her from accomplishing her goals. She finished high school and college, had a child and is currently finishing graduate school. Kimberley (Tuckahoe, NY) � Kimberly was transformed after adopting two children from Russia. The boys had suffered prior to being adopted and have experienced many hurdles over the past few years. Adopting her sons inspired her career - a service coordinator locating services for young children also in need of additional help and support. The Transformation Nation Web site is also an interactive destination where consumers can view the latest fall fashion essentials, interact with a virtual wardrobe planner and stay up-to-date on fashion trends. Kohl�s Department Stores Based in Menomonee Falls, Wis., Kohl�s is a family-focused, value-oriented specialty department store offering moderately priced, exclusive and national brand apparel, shoes, accessories, beauty and home products in an exciting shopping environment. By the end of 2006, Kohl�s will operate 817 stores in 45 states. For a list of store locations and information, or for the added convenience of shopping online, visit Kohl�s Web site at kohls.com. In addition, Kohl�s recently launched transformationnation.com, allowing customers to view the latest fall fashion essentials, interact with a virtual wardrobe planner and stay up-to-date on fashion trends. Kohl's Department Store celebrates personal triumph through transformation with the announcement of the ten finalists in their Transformation Nation essay contest. Kohl's asked "What is the most important transformation in your life and how has it impacted you?" and men and women hailing from across America answered. Over 5,000 entries were submitted, which judges narrowed down to the ten most inspiring. Entries were judged on uniqueness and the impact of the transformation, along with the quality of writing. The finalists submitted their inspirational essays and are now vying for the grand prize through transformationnation.com. The heartening stories of people aspiring to overcome life's challenges will make voting for the winner a difficult decision. The essays encompassed those who overcame disease and injuries, persevered against all odds, and moved on from personal tragedy to enjoy life's triumphs. Some essayists wrote about acknowledging their calling in life and the recognition of their children and grandchildren as their living legacy. Others wrote of improving their physical health and creating a better lifestyle for themselves through both a physical and emotional transformation. All finalists' essays truly serve to inspire greatness, or comfort, in others. The ten finalist essays will be available online to read and judge from October 4 - 10. Consumers are invited to visit www.transformationnation.com to cast a vote for the most compelling transformation story. All finalists will be featured in planned segments on CBS News' The Early Show from September 28 - October 3. Each finalist will receive a $1,000 fashion and beauty makeover combined with a four day, three night trip to Los Angeles. The grand prize winner will be announced as part of a celebrity hosted fashion event at the Santa Monica Pier in California on Oct. 12, 2006. The well deserved winner will receive a $10,000 Kohl's shopping spree, a trip for two to Paris, France and $500 spending money. "The personal transformation stories of the finalists are truly inspirational," said Julie Gardner, senior vice president and chief brand officer, Kohl's Department Stores. "It is Kohl's' hope that the personal triumph the finalists share through their essays will inspire others to make a transformation in their own lives." Top 10 Transformation Nation Essay Contest Finalists -- Jeanette (San Diego, CA) - Jeanette decided to stop multi-tasking and focus individually on each project at hand. She is accomplishing more each day because of this change. -- Lisa (Lufkin, TX) - Lisa put concerns of external appearance in perspective following the birth of a long-awaited child and the tragedy of her house burning down three days after bringing the baby home from the hospital. -- Natalee (Hewitt, TX) - Natalee realized her calling was to work with the elderly during a graduate school "role play" assignment designed to experience what it would be like to have a debilitating disease. -- Doris (Marietta, GA) - As family and friends gathered for the occasion of her 70th birthday, Doris watched her six grandchildren and realized they will serve as her living legacy. Their accomplishments impact her life more than anything. -- Rose (Windsor Heights, Iowa) - At age 19, Rose was diagnosed with Osterogenic Sarcoma resulting in amputation of her left leg. Following the surgery her parents were told she had 6 months to live. She was not told, and is now 36 years old. She has forged through life with a can-do attitude, not letting her loss of limb slow her down. -- Kelley (Tunkhannock, PA) - Motivated by the news she was pregnant, Kelly became determined to lose her excess weight and live a healthy life for her and her baby. Three years and two children later, she has gone from a size 26 to a size 4-5. -- Maryann (Fort Walton Beach, FL) - After being approached by the principal at her daughter's school, Maryann became an art teacher and was inspired by her talented students. -- Julie (Edmonds, WA) - After being told her son had drowned, he was miraculously brought back to life. Julie now has a new lease on life and truly appreciates what matters. -- Jacquelyn (Saint Cloud, MN) - At 17 Jacquelyn was paralyzed in a car accident. She didn't let the accident stop her from accomplishing her goals. She finished high school and college, had a child and is currently finishing graduate school. -- Kimberley (Tuckahoe, NY) - Kimberly was transformed after adopting two children from Russia. The boys had suffered prior to being adopted and have experienced many hurdles over the past few years. Adopting her sons inspired her career - a service coordinator locating services for young children also in need of additional help and support. The Transformation Nation Web site is also an interactive destination where consumers can view the latest fall fashion essentials, interact with a virtual wardrobe planner and stay up-to-date on fashion trends. Kohl's Department Stores Based in Menomonee Falls, Wis., Kohl's is a family-focused, value-oriented specialty department store offering moderately priced, exclusive and national brand apparel, shoes, accessories, beauty and home products in an exciting shopping environment. By the end of 2006, Kohl's will operate 817 stores in 45 states. For a list of store locations and information, or for the added convenience of shopping online, visit Kohl's Web site at kohls.com. In addition, Kohl's recently launched transformationnation.com, allowing customers to view the latest fall fashion essentials, interact with a virtual wardrobe planner and stay up-to-date on fashion trends.