Youth share their solutions to bullying
Winners announced for “Stand Up and Stop Bullying” video contest
Edmonton... After writing, producing, directing, and having their videos voted on by the public, two teams from Lethbridge and Stettler have been named the grand prize winners in the Alberta government’s and Citytv’s Stand Up and Stop Bullying video contest.
“Taking a stand against bullying is not always an easy thing to do,” said Children’s Services Minister Heather Forsyth. “Congratulations to the winners and all of the youth who spoke up against bullying by submitting a video. Youth have very thoughtful and insightful ideas and the only way that we’re ever going to find solutions to serious societal issues is by listening to and working with them.”
“Bullying is an issue that almost everyone can relate to and it’s also one that each of us can do something about,” said Education Minister Gene Zwozdesky. “These youth did an exceptional job in sharing their ideas on how to stop bullying. I congratulate all of these young actors and directors on their creativity, and I thank them for their courage in speaking up against bullying.”
Youth between the ages of 13-18 were invited to create two-minute digital videos expressing their personal experiences with bullying and their positive solutions regarding intervention and prevention. Four finalists were selected and Albertans had the opportunity to vote for their favorite one online.
The two grand prize winners will each receive a $600 Future Shop gift certificate and their videos will air on Citytv starting November 9. Two secondary prize winners will also see their videos on Citytv and each will receive a $150 Future Shop gift certificate. All four videos are available for viewing at http://www.b-free.ca/ and http://www.citytv.com/.
This contest was part of government’s Stand Up and Stop Bullying campaign, launched in May, 2006. Youth are encouraged to visit http://www.b-free.ca/ to find out more about bullying and learn tips on how they can stop it. Children, youth and parents who need immediate help, advice or support with bullying can call the 24-hour, toll-free helpline at 1-888-456-2323.
Stand Up and Stop Bullying is part of a three-year, province-wide bullying prevention campaign that comes as a direct result of commitments made during the Alberta Roundtable on Family Violence and Bullying held in May, 2004. The total cost of the Stand Up and Stop Bullying campaign, including the helpline, is $780,000.
Backgrounder
Two grand prize winners and two secondary prize winners named in “Stand Up and Stop Bullying” video contestEdmonton ...Finalists in the Alberta government's and Citytv's Stand Up and Stop Bullying video contest are as follows:
Grand Prize Winner
Name of Video: Stand Up
City: Stettler
Team lead: Brittany Rangen
Grand Prize Winner
Name of Video: Stand Up and Walk Away
City: Lethbridge
Team leads: Alyssa Mcquaid and Daniel Warner
Secondary Prize Winner
Name of Video: Open Your Eyes
City: Edmonton
Team lead: Phillippe de Montigny
Secondary Prize Winner
Name of Video: The Real Bullying Video
City: High Prairie
Team leads: Mallory Caudron, Lisa Girard, Morgan Laderoute and Jericho Noskey
Videos of all four of the finalists can be viewed online at http://www.b-free.ca/.
