Reed Howell- 2010 Bi-Lo Invention Convention Grand Champion

The annual Bi-Lo Invention Convention is stiff competition for budding inventors from across the Upstate of South Carolina. Over 1,500 students in Greenville, Spartanburg, and Anderson Counties participate with hopes of winning, but only one lucky inventor will claim the title “Overall Grand Champion”. The Grand Prize Winner of the 2010 Invention Convention is eleven year old, Reed Howell. Reed is a fifth grade student at Mountain View Elementary School in Taylors, South Carolina. He’s been waiting for his chance to enter the Invention Convention since the third grade and his patience certainly paid off. Reed is the inventor of one very handy device for grocery shoppers the world over—the “Grocery Gator”. How many times have you returned from the grocery store, only to realize that something you needed wasn’t even on the list? Reed Howell’s invention was born of that same frustration. Reed realized his mother, although armed with a shopping list, would still fail to bring home certain items. Why? Because someone inevitably forgot to add something to the list! Reed Howell’s “Grocery Gator” nips that problem in the bud. As Reed explains, the “Grocery Gator” is a scanning device that attaches to a trash can and scans items as you throw them away. This way, anyone in the household can scan the item’s barcode before tossing it in the trash. Once the item is scanned, it is stored on your computer in an electronic grocery list. When it’s time to do the shopping, you simply print it off and head out. No one will forget to put toilet paper on the list again. Brilliant! Reed received a $1000.00 scholarship from Bi-Lo, along with other great prizes, including one gigantic “Overall Grand Champion” trophy, which is almost as big as he is. Super cool invention, Reed—Greenville is proud of you. CONGRATULATIONS!