Marion County High School Students Earn Awards in Video Contest
With special grant funding, the Marion County Problem Gambling Prevention Program hosted a high school video contest to increase community and youth knowledge about the connections between problem gambling and substance misuse (alcohol and other drugs).
Seven finalists were selected from four high schools in this friendly competition, including Sprague, McNary, and Early College High School in the Salem-Keizer School District, and Regis St. Mary Catholic School in Stayton. Votes were counted on the Marion County Health & Human Services’ Facebook Page and through an expert Judges Panel.
Three student groups received top awards.
Hayden Grow and Nate Harmon from Sprague High School took first place in the video contest for their video “Reach Out.” Their video successfully portrayed how losing money and self-confidence from mistakes – such as gambling – can be overcome through positive healthy connections with new friends. They will receive a $500 award for their accomplishment, and the Video Production class will receive a $500 award for sponsoring them.
Isaac Ramirez and Elizabeth Guzman Martinez from Early College High School took second place in the video contest for their video “The Gamblers Redemption.” Their video successfully portrayed how mistakes from something like gambling can be overcome by seeking help when needed. They will receive a $250 award for their accomplishment, and the Video Production class will receive a $250 award for sponsoring them.
Dakota Dunagan, Leonardo Zavala, Isaia Galindo Lopez, and Angel Prado from McNary High School took third place in the video contest for their video “Negative Habits.” Their educational video suggests that youth should choose positive, natural highs over negative habits like gambling or drug use. They will receive a $250 award for their accomplishment, and the Digital Media Production class will receive a $250 award for sponsoring them.
“The three winners in our video contest exemplify positive messaging, creativity, and video production,” said Michael Keuler, Marion County Problem Gambling Prevention Coordinator.
“We are so impressed with all the finalists in the contest. Their video’s will help our community and local youth understand the effects of problem gambling and the connection it has with substance abuse.”
Additional finalists who also received recognition include Lyndsey Tudela and Courtney Wilson from Early College High School, Faith Bieker Andersen and Mary Jespersen from McNary High School, Ayden Murphy-Kirsch from Regis High School in Stayton, and Darius Yehnert, Bryton Lenahan, and Ethan Williams from Sprague High School.
All finalist videos will go to support the Problem Gambling and Behavioral Addiction Integration Toolkit for middle school health classes – available at Art.MCHealthy.Net. To see the videos of all of the finalists in the contest, go to the Marion County Health & Human Services’ Facebook Page.