Waianae High School takes top honors at 2012 HMSA Teen Video Awards | Arts & Culture

Information courtesy: HMSA

Hundreds of student filmmakers compete for prizes and recognition

Hundreds of Hawaii teens, their parents, and their teachers were treated to a Hollywood-style red carpet event as the Hawai‘i Medical Service Association (HMSA) honored the 2012 Teen Video Awards winners. A team of students from Waianae High School took Best of Show honors as well as this year’s Voter’s Choice Award for receiving the most online votes on YouTube. The gala event was held at the Hawaii Convention Center.

The annual statewide competition encourages Hawaii’s teens to create compelling public service announcements (PSAs) about the importance of living a healthy life. There were 222 videos submitted by students from 44 public and independent middle schools and high schools.

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. $500 was awarded to the Best Middle School entry, a new category added this year, and the Best of Show winner received an additional $1,000.

In keeping with the red carpet theme, awards were given for the Best Actor, the Best Original Music, and the Best Tear-Jerker. Special prizes were awarded by contest sponsors the Hawaii Meth Project, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Hawaii, and the Domestic Violence Action Center. As further recognition, top PSAs will be aired on KHON, KITV, Hawaii News Now, and basic cable channels in May and June.

This year’s Voter’s Choice Award winner received $500. The winning PSA received the most votes from the public on HMSA’s YouTube channel. In all, the videos that were posted received more than 35,135 views and 4,056 votes.

The Best of Show and top winners in each category were:

Best of Show:  

• “Not Justified” by Waianae High School Students: Josiah Endo, Austin Kaulia, Davinn Akeo, Teacher: John Allen III

Teen Safety: 

• 1st Place: “The 1st Time” by Moanalua High School Students: Niki Badua, Micah Bulosan, Teacher: Kelly Calistroo
• 2nd Place: “Don’t Take a Hit” by Waianae High School Students: Shayla Bradley, Kerstye Kau, Austin Reese, Douglas Westbrook, Teacher: John Allen III
• 3rd Place: “Cyber Ninja” by Waianae High School Students: Tuli Leota, Vance Tolentino, Joseph Garnica, Alan Ibanes, Jacoby Cid, Giddel Domingo, Faron Jove, Matt Manosca, Teacher: Michael Oconnor

Addiction Prevention:

• 1st Place: “Choose Your Path” by Mililani High School Students: Jason Schaake, Justin Calpito, Teacher: Jason Tamura
• 2nd Place: “Baby Batu” by Waianae High School Students: Alan Ibanes, Coby Cid, Tuli Leota, Jaydean Pacheco, Joey Garnica, Hiilani Caspino, Schae-Leigh Nii, Vance Tolentino, Josiah Endo, Teacher: Michael Oconnor
• 3rd Place: “Jeff” by Moanalua High School Student: Korie Lum, Teacher: Mark Ikenaga

Mental Health:  

• 1st Place: “Not Justified” by Waianae High School Students: Josiah Endo, Austin Kaulia, Davinn Akeo, Teacher: John Allen IIIo  
• 2nd Place: “Break Stereotypes” by Kamehameha Schools Maui Student: Kelcey Lorenzo, Teacher: Jay Pa`ao  
• 3rd Place: “Broken Heart Bullying” by Kapaa High School, Kauai Students: Courtney Brede, Lawson Fernandes, Paulina Felcher, Cameron Williamson, Teacher: Michelle Rundbaken

Healthy Living:  

• 1st Place: “Orange” by Moanalua High School Students: Justin Akama, Madelynne Nguyen, Teacher: Mark Ikenagao  
• 2nd Place: “Slow Down” by Waianae High School Students: Kaleo Kaopua, Keanu Lyau-Goodwin, Matthew Feleti, Teacher: John Allen IIIo  
• 3rd Place: “Curse of the Crinkling” by Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School, Kauai Student: Kasey Emoto, Teacher: Kevin Matsunaga

Best Middle School Entry

• “Curse of the Crinkling” by Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School, Kauai Student: Kasey Emoto, Teacher: Kevin Matsunaga        

Best Actor:  

• “The Bottle Hunter” by Moanalua High School Actor: Cody Wright, Teacher: Mark Ikenaga

Best Original Music:

• Music from “Be Meth Free” by Farrington High SchoolStudent: Lawrence Maileoi, Teacher: Christine Ho       

Best Tear-Jerker:

• “Take a Stand” by Kaiser High SchoolStudents: Crissia Vaughn, Luke Vaughn, Kainoa Allen, Kekai Quan, Teacher: Tanya Misi        

Voter’s Choice Award:

• “Cyber Ninja” by Waianae High School Students: Tuli Leota, Vance Tolentino, Joseph Garnica, Alan Ibanes, Jacoby Cid, Giddel Domingo, Faron Jove, Matt Manosca, Teacher: Michael Oconnor

Special Award by Domestic Violence Action Center for Domestic Violence Prevention:  

• “My Everything” by Kapaa High School, Kauai Students: Courtney Brede, Lawson Fernandes, Paulina Felcher, Teacher: Michelle Rundbaken·        

Special Award by The Hawaii Meth Project for Meth Prevention:  

• “I Will Take Your Life Away” by Kapaa High School, Kauai Students: Ilona Oliver, Rachel Farias, Teacher: Michelle Rundbaken

Special Award by MADD-Hawaii for Underage Drinking Prevention:  

• “No Excuses” by Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School, Kauai Student: Laura Koga, Teacher: Kevin Matsunaga

“The talent displayed by the students who entered this year’s competition was truly impressive,” says Elisa Yadao, HMSA’s vice president of community affairs. “Many of this year’s entries focused on bullying, which seems to be an issue of concern among teenagers today. Since teens pay the most attention to what their peers have to say, we think these videos will have a big impact on both their health and their well-being.”

To view the winning PSAs, log on to hmsa.com/tva. (Note: Winning PSAs will be available for online viewing on Thursday, May 10.)

Sponsors of tonight’s event include the Hawai‘i Medical Service Association (HMSA), the Department of Education (DOE), the Domestic Violence Action Center,  the Hawaii Meth Project, and MADD-Hawaii.

HMSA is a nonprofit, mutual benefit association founded in Hawaii in 1938. It is governed by a community board of directors that includes representatives from health care, business, labor, government, education, clergy, and the community at large. HMSA is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. For more information, visit hmsa.com.