Homer High student video is a top ten national contender in Toyota TeenDrive365 Video Challenge Three Homer High School students triumphed over more than 1,500 entrants from across the country – the highest number of submissions ever received in the competition’s five year history – to be one of the top ten finalists in the annual Toyota TeenDrive365 Video Challenge. The 56 second video, “Let’s Be Smart” topic is distracted driving, and it is up for a People’s Choice award based on online votes received by April 25.* Please vote online and share via social sites!
Liam Somers, Johann Kallelid, and Lyndsay Brown are finalists and have 1 in 10 chance to win up to $15,000 and participate in the video production of a PSA with Toyota and Discovery Education!
Plus, the People’s Choice winners also win $5,000. Encourage your school and community to support these creative and community minded students. Go to www.TeenDrive365InSchool.com/vote by April 25, and share with #TeenDrive365 on Twitter.
www.TeenDrive365InSchool.com/vote
“I’ve always loved to get my friends together and make movies for fun, so when I saw that there was a scholarship being offered for making a video about distracted teen drivers, I immediately rounded up some actors and began filming. I’ve also realized, during my few short years of driving, just how dangerous distracted driving can be, and I thought that by making this video we could hopefully help prevent future accidents due to distractions.” – Liam Somers, Homer High School student
“Liam is the brains behind this whole video. He created the whole script and the green screen, everything. I am really proud and honored to be a part of this, and the fact that we are now in the top ten finalists, is incredible. Liam worked really hard on this video and deserves to win it all!” – Lyndsay Brown, Homer High School student
“In the past, Liam, me and some other friends have made many videos. Liam called me and asked if I wanted to make another video with him and of course I said, yes. It’s so cool that we’re in the top ten finalists. It’s a great feeling.” – Johann Kallelid, Homer High School student
“This is another great example of how our students are applying their education to make a difference in the world using new media platforms. I’m very proud of them—now please give the Let’s Be Smart video an online vote by April 25.” – Sean Dusek, superintendent
*VOTE by April 25: Let’s Be Smart video by Lian S, Johann K., Lyndsay B., in Homer, Alaska
To view Liam, Johann, and Lyndsay’s video along with the other finalists and pick a favorite, visit www.TeenDrive365InSchool.com/vote, and use #TeenDrive365 on Twitter. The People’s Choice Winner will receive a $5,000 prize and a behind-the-scenes trip to a taping of a Velocity network show. In addition to the People’s Choice winner, a panel of judges from Toyota and Discovery Education will choose several other prize winners. The first place winner will receive $15,000 and will work with a Discovery film crew to reshoot their video into a TV-ready PSA to air on a variety of Discovery networks. Other prizes include:
- Second place prize – $10,000 and a behind-the-scenes trip to a Velocity network show taping
- Third place prize – $7,500
- Fourth to tenth place prizes – Each receives $2,500
- Four regional prizes – Each receives $1,000
“We launched the Toyota TeenDrive365 Video Challenge five years ago with Discovery Education because we wanted another way to engage young people in our commitment to make the roads safer for us all,” said Mike Goss, General Manager, Social Innovation, Toyota Motor North America. “It was tough to choose the 10 finalists this year and we were blown away by their creativity. Some of the videos were funny, others were profound, but all inspired us to think even more deeply about the importance of driving safely.” “We applaud this year’s finalists and their use of digital storytelling, creativity and passion to influence the behavior of their peers and ultimately help save lives,” said Bill Goodwyn, president and CEO at Discovery Education. “Discovery Education is proud to partner with Toyota on addressing this critical issue by empowering young people to make smart decisions behind the wheel through engaging digital resources and experiences.” To learn more about the resources offered through TeenDrive365: In School, go to http://www.teendrive365inschool.com/.