Students from Val Verde High School in Perris, along with teens from schools around the globe, will be receiving red carpet treatment Thursday during an awards gala recognizing the youths for video projects they submitted as part of an international contest.
The six-person Val Verde team was selected as the U.S. winner of Panasonic’s 22nd annual “Kid Witness News Global Competition,” which involved nearly 740 schools from 26 counties.
All of the top-place finishers are scheduled to receive awards during a party at Universal Studios’ Globe Theater, beginning at 3:30 p.m. The event will include a red carpet arrival, followed by screenings, awards and a dance.
Students’ family members, friends and school administrators are expected to take part in the celebration.
Radio Disney’s Ernie D will emcee and Panasonic North America Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Joseph M. Taylor is scheduled to personally congratulate the winners.
The Val Verde students’ five-minute production “Without Me” focused on the repercussions of a teen suicide.
The Kids Witness News Video program encourages middle and high school students to explore social issues, environmental issues and topics important to their communities. Panasonic supplies the video equipment — including editing suites — valued at roughly $3,000. The schools are allowed to keep the gear, at no charge, for future productions.
Along with Val Verde’s team, student teams from Japan, New Zealand, Russia, Singapore and Slovakia will be honored.
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Fantastic work by the teens and the school that supports them.
The background message in the video points to family members and friends who have their own stresses in life, who are displacing the intensity of their own burdens on to the teen featured in the video, who is dealing with (like his family and friends) stress, doubting self worth, likely symptoms of depression, etc.
Everyone in the video could use some guidance in getting through.
Bravo, for work well done!
Suicide Prevention (1-800-273-TALK)