Update, Feb. 10, 4 p.m.

Thank you for your support, Patch readers! I am excited to share the wonderful news that I have been named the winner of the “Across the Channel: Women Unifying Nations” video contest. Next month I will travel to Europe as the official American reporter at the centennial celebration of Harriet Quimby's flight across the English Channel in 1912--a major milestone in female aviation.

I couldn't have done this without your votes and encouragement. Thank you! I'm looking forward to sharing my experiences abroad next month with my friends here in Wheaton.

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Editor's Note: Voting ended at 3 a.m. on Feb. 8 (Tuesday night). Thanks for your support.

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Original story, Feb. 7:

Dear Patch readers:

I am asking for your support to realize a dream. I have been chosen as one of the two finalists in the “Across the Channel: Women Unifying Nations” video contest—and I need your votes to win!

All of the contestants submitted a short video explaining why they want to take the trip that recreates Harriet Quimby’s accomplishment as the first woman to fly solo across the English Channel 100 years ago, on April 16, 1912.

You can watch my video and cast your vote by visiting the contest website. (I'm the second video!) There is no registration necessary.

Voting ends Tuesday, Feb. 7 at midnight PST. That's 3 a.m. in our time zone. 

The winner, whose name will be announced Feb. 8, will be flown across the English Channel from England’s Headcorn Airport to France’s Le Touquet Airport on March 10, in a general aviation aircraft to celebrate Quimby’s accomplishment. She will be the official American reporter of the event, using social media to broadcast the celebration. She will also be the guest of honor at the event, with an opportunity to meet women of aviation from around the world.

Will you help me by voting so that I can represent Wheaton and all of Patch abroad?

Here's a little background on Women of Aviation Worldwide Week:

The celebration of Women Of Aviation Worldwide Week began in 2011 as the world celebrated the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day. Held annually during the week including March 8, which marks International Women’s Day and the anniversary of the issuance of the first female pilot license worldwide, Women Of Aviation Worldwide Week aims to foster diversity in aviation by celebrating women’s history, raising awareness of aviation’s opportunities among girls and women, and shaping the future by introducing girls and women to aviation through industry-wide collaboration.

For more information about the contest or Women Of Aviation Worldwide Week, please visit the official website, www.WomenOfAviationWeek.org.