Some people color their hair for fun, but Bernard Vincavage had a different reason.”I did color my hair on purpose to make myself stand out from the crowd,” he said.Along with his red hair, the sophomore interdisciplinary studies major took with him the title of “Prilosec OTC Official TV Host” as he embarked on an adventure to Los Angeles, Cali. for the first ever Reality Rocks Expo.Vincavage was interning in Boston with “The Theater Offensive,” a theater company at the Boston Center for the Arts May to August 2010, when he thought of the idea to get a sponsorship.”I thought, ‘well, if a bicyclist or a skateboarder can get a sponsorship, why can’t I?'” Vincavage said.He found through a Google search the Prilosec OTC sponsorship, which sponsored people to continue their passions, and at 1 a.m. he cautiously recorded a video submission on why he wanted to be a TV host and what is passion was, careful not to wake any of the members of his Boston host family. In December, Vincavage got a letter telling him that he was chosen as the Prilosec OTC official TV host.”I was like, ‘hot dang, I made it!'” he said. Vincavage’s friends also heard the news and shared in his excitement. “I don’t think he was able to tell people right away for whatever reason, but when he sat me down and just said he won, and I was very excited for him!” said MaryBeth Reid, a broadcasting junior and one of Vincavage’s close friends.”He explained what had happened and we were all so happy, no one else could have been a more appreciative and deserving winner,” said Maddie Toy, a global cultural studies sophomore and a close friend who was with Vincavage when he received the good news.Vincavage received a monetary award from Prilosec OTC to use in any way that continues his passion. Since he wants to start his television career in reality TV, Vincavage decided to use his award to go to Los Angeles to the Reality Rocks Expo, a gathering and showcase for reality TV, as well as a reality TV awards ceremony. The award paid for the flight, hotel and expo, which was held at the Los Angeles Convention Center on April 9 and April 10, 2011.At the expo, Vincavage networked and sought out different interactive booths, such as merchandise and photo booths, set up such as Hollywood Access, Women’s Entertainment, Zap2it and he also auditioned for The Real World.He also saw Marki Costello, the “queen of hosting,” Tom Bergeron, Bruce Jenner, Chris Kardashian and Michael Moloney from “Extreme Makeover Home Edition.””I realized how hard this world of industry and media is,” Vincavage said. “The industry that I’m ultimately getting myself into is a cut-throat industry. It’s all about who you know and what you know.”Vincavage only got to attend one day of the expo, but he took from it some valuable lessons. He is even sending out thank you post cards to the many people he networked and connected with.”I think that’s what employers want, they want to make a connection with you. Otherwise, they won’t remember you,” Vincavage said. “A lot of the people there were so young and so alive and energetic and just to be there really made me feel good and connect with them.”As a requirement for his sponsorship with Prilosec OTC, Vincavage is required to blog about how the sponsorship is helping him. He posts pictures, types up blog posts and is planning on sending a big thank-you to the company that made everything possible.”I’ve never won anything before in my life,” Vincavage said. “I’m really happy that I made it this far. Winning the sponsorship is more meaningful than just a notation on my resume; it really strikes me that through my entry video I really conveyed a message about my passion to complete strangers.”Ultimately, Vincavage wants to become a TV talk show host. He wants to educate people on pursuing their own passions in life. Through Prilosec OTC’s sponsorship, he said he found exactly what he needed.”Prilosec OTC is a heartburn medicine, and my heart burns every time I see Regis and Ellen and Oprah,” Vincavage said. “I really want to make a difference and I feel like the best way that I can do that is becoming a TV talk show host.” “I think he can definitely reach his goal,” Reid said. “I’ve never seen anyone with such motivation to achieve their goals. He goes to great lengths to get himself noticed in the business.””He has so much motivation. He’s always thinking about what he can do next to reach his goal. He’s incredibly driven, and it’s honestly inspiring,” Toy said. In addition to finding a sponsorship last summer, Vincavage interviewed with The Theater Offensive, which gave him an opportunity to explore who he really is and connect with his identity”I really expanded myself [last summer],” Vincavage said.On campus, Vincavage is involved in To The Point, National Broadcast Society and the Honors Program. He also volunteers with the Gay and Lesbian Community Center.As a result, Vincavage wants to re-establish a gay/straight alliance at Point Park and continue to pursue his TV talk show host dream. It seems, though, that the possibilities are endless.To learn more about Vincavage, his sponsorship, his passion, and what he is already doing to help others and pursue his passion, check out bernardtalks.com, bernardcharlesvincavage.com or follow him on twitter @BernieLuvsEllen