Thanks to a $15,000 donation from Durham Coca Cola Bottling Company to the Durham Library Foundation, approximately 230 teens and family members will attend the May 13 performance of The Color Purple at the Durham Performing Arts Center.

The teens wrote about the book or drew an image of their favorite scene in the movie in order to earn the tickets.

"This contest was a great way to promote reading among young people in the Durham community," said M. Hager Rand, Durham Coca-Cola Bottling Company's president and chairman.

Teens chose an important character from the novel to write about, but they also recognized and explored the major themes of the novel.

Many of the teens wrote about how those themes affected them and what they learned from this contemporary classic:

"I found this book to be inspiring and encouraging. The Color Purple is a story about growth, endurance, loyalty, joy and most of all hope."

Ciera J. Gaskins
City of Medicine Academy

"This movie has showed me that no matter how you have been mistreated, no matter what people do to you, you can make it through all battles that life can bring."

Candace Barbee
Southern High School

"Celie can show women in the world today that no matter how hard life gets, no matter what, we can succeed. Women have the power to become great people in the world."

Chelsea White
Southern High School

Representatives from the Durham Coca Cola Bottling Company and the Durham Library Foundation will be on hand at DPAC before the Wednesday evening performance to welcome the students and their families. Some of the teen's artwork will be displayed in the lobby as well.

Durham County Library provides the entire community with books, services and other resources that inform, inspire learning, cultivate understanding and excite the imagination.