TBA ISD Career Tech Center students Buddy Hanley and Quentin Elam produced this public service announcement.
It beat out more than 20 other entries from students across Northern Michigan.
“Feels really good. Actually I didn’t think we were going to get as far as we did placing, but we it was a good video and I feel like we did really good,” said Buddy.
Quentin added, “It was pretty stressful because we had a week to do it, and we so compared to last year we had more information to fit in less time. And it was during SAT week, so I was really only here for three out of five days.”
In fact, students in their film and new media class took the top three spots in Munson Medical Center’s annual stroke PSA competition this year.
Drina Trego came in second.
“I love making videos, so if I can put something I love into a really cool and important message, I thought, like, the whole world should see it. And it’s really important to do so, and I thought it was a great idea,” explained Drina.
Film and new media instructor Tom Mills said, “The fact that we really teach storytelling and creativity and they actually were able to pull it off means that makes us feel that the message is getting there.”
Instructor Tom Mills couldn’t have been happier about the contest and the results.
“They actually have a real challenge from Munson to say this is stroke awareness, you have to cover these things and you have to do it in this amount of time is a real life challenge that puts the kids into a situation that they will be a part of in the real world. So it’s a great opportunity for the kids to have a little real world stress,” explained Tom.
The assignment was create a 30 second PSA that helps the public recognize the signs of a stroke with the acronym B.E. F.A.S.T.
The contest is open to all 6-12th grade students across Northern Michigan.
Judges are both medical professionals and media experts.
“The PSAs are viewed with an eye toward seeing what the accuracy of the message is and also how professional and clear it is, how well it delivers the message of be fast and call 911. The first place team consists of the school of the first place winning team wins $1,000, second is $700, third is $500,” said Dr. Kersti Bruining, medical director of .
That means the film and media class is bringing it all home, and they’ll have to make some decisions.
“In the past we were able to purchase a drone, we were able to purchase a gimbal, a steady cam type of equipment, things that are a little bit above and beyond maybe a school. And let the kids know that they will have some say in it,” explained Tom.
The top three PSAs are also all featured on the .
It’s a win for the class, the students, the hospital and the community.
“It’s really exciting. One of the most fun things for me is to go to the schools after the winning three have been identified and being able to shake their hands and congratulate them on the fine work they’ve done,” explained Dr. Bruining.
