News Release
May 16, 2008
Waianae High School captures "Best of Show" at 2008 HMSA Teen Video Awards
Contest
Laura Lott
(808) 952-7566
laura_lott@hmsa.com
(Honolulu)– At tonight’s red-carpet award ceremony, a team of students
from Waianae High School took “Best of Show” honors at the 2008 HMSA
Teen Video Awards Contest. The annual statewide competition encourages teens to
create compelling video messages about the dangers of substance abuse and the importance
of living a healthy life.
This year, 184 videos were submitted by students from public and private middle
schools and high schools. At tonight’s ceremony at Consolidated Ward Theatre,
the top 98 public service announcements (PSAs) premiered, and the very best were
honored:
- Best of Show PSA – “Speak Out Against Smoking,”
Waianae High School (Students: Makani Matutino, Rachel Paaluhi; Teacher: John Allen
III)
- Best Drug-Free PSA – “One Wish,” Myron B. Thompson
Academy (Students: Moku Moikeha, Brett Tan Chico, Jaron Kodama, Tamra Pristou-Globoker,
Collin Hamby; Teacher: Mike Pai)
- Best Underage Drinking Prevention PSA – “Shattered
Dreams,” James Campbell High School. (Students: Evelyn Obamos, Sherwin Acidera,
Erin Gail Gamil; Teacher: Oscar Ramiscal)
- Best Tobacco-Free PSA – “Speak Out Against Smoking,”
Waianae High School (Students: Makani Matutino, Raquel Paaluhi; Teacher: John Allen
III)
- Best Fitness/Nutrition PSA – “Get Fit,” Mililani
High School. (Student: Jordan Teruya; Teacher: Shelly Bishop)
- Best Social Health PSA – “It Doesn’t Have to
Be,” Waianae High School (Students: Ingrid Neidhardt, Laken Antonio, Heidi
Neidhardt, Amanda Hammond, Kiani Aiu, Samuel Spake, Tatiana Wilbur, Jordan Rita,
Nathan McCloud, Derek Santos, Sean Bongo, Audrey Mayfield, Korsyca Oya; Teacher:
Michael Oconnor)
First-place winners in each category received $1,000 for video equipment or software
for their schools. Second- and third-place winners received $500 and $250 respectively.
The “Best of Show” winner received an additional $1,000. As further
recognition, top PSAs will be aired on HMSA Now, digital cable channel 344, as well
as on a variety of local TV channels.
Tonight’s event was attended by teachers, students and family members from
across the state, as well as V.I.P. guests and celebrity presenters. This year’s
presenters included Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann, entertainer Jasmine Trias, morning
talk show host Lina girl, former sumo wrestler Konishiki Salevaa Atisanoe, actress
and singer Kristian Lei, as well as sisters and reigning local beauty queens Miss
Hawaii USA 2008, Jonelle Layfield, and Miss Hawaii 2007, Ashley Layfield.
Co-sponsors of tonight’s event include HMSA, Department of Education, Mothers
Against Drunk Driving, and Sassy/G magazine.
HMSA is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.
####