The United States DEA, DEA Educational Foundation and Discovery Education, the leading provider of digital content and professional development for K-12 classrooms, haves announced the finalists of the inaugural Operation Prevention Video Challenge—a peer-to-peer platform for communicating messages about the dangers of opioid misuse.
Please Vote for your preferred video.
You can view the ten finalists’ videos at OperationPrevention.com and vote through May 17, 2017 for the People’s Choice winner.
The winner will win a trip for an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of DEA agent training at the DEA’s Training Academy in Quantico, Virginia.
Winning PSAs will also be featured on-air and across DEA’s digital and social media platforms.
For the first time, the Operation Prevention Video Challenge asked teenagers across the nation to submit 30-60 second public service video announcements to educate their peers about the current opioid epidemic.
The challenge is part of a joint nationwide education initiative titled Operation Prevention that educates students about the science behind addiction and its impact on the brain and body.
Available at no cost, the initiative’s resources help promote lifesaving discussions in the home and classroom.
“These creative videos and powerful voices are the type of thinking we need to help address the severe and growing opioid epidemic,” said DEA Acting Administrator Chuck Rosenberg.
“We must change the culture regarding dangerous drugs, and we must educate folks about the very real risks of opioid abuse and addiction.”
In addition to the People’s Choice winner, several other prize winners will be chosen by a panel of judges from Discovery Education and the DEA, as well as community leaders, educators, and communications experts.
(One of the Top 10 Finalists video submission. By Kyle C., Clay K. and Carter S. from Madison, CT. Courtesy of Discovery Education and YouTube. Please see them all and Vote!)
The grand prize winner will receive $10,000, the second-place winner will receive $5,000, and the third-place winner will receive $1,000.
The Top 10 Finalists Include (in alphabetical order):
- Kyle Citrin, Clay Knibbs, and Carter Soboleski for “The Cork Board.” Madison, CT. Daniel Hand High School, (Madison Public School District)
- Nicholas Kilgore for “Bon Appetit.” Norton, MA. Norton High School (Norton School District).
- Monet Massac for “The Twins.” Brooklyn, New York. Brooklyn Friends School.
- Ayodeji Ogunlana for “More.” Mercedes, TX. South Texas High School for Health Professionals. (South Texas Independent School District)
- Shelbea Owen for “Davis Owen.” Marietta, GA. Marietta High School (Marietta City School District).
- Katherine Smith for “Let’s End Opioid and Heroin Misuse.” Shreveport, LA. Loyola College Prep School (Harrison School District 1)
- Jack Thomas for “How.” Flanders, NJ. Mt. Olive High School. (Mt. Olive TWP School District)
- Melissa Torres for “Story of Your Life.” Tampa, FL. Leto High School (Hillsborough County Public School District)
- Nate Trillo for “Real Life.” Midlothian, TX. Midlothian Heritage High School (Midlothian
- School District)
- Benjamin Zulcic for “Awareness.” West Valley City, UT. Granger High School (Granite School District).
(One of the Top 10 Finalists video submission. By Monet M. from Brooklyn, NY. Courtesy of Discovery Education and YouTube. Please see them all and Vote!)
“It’s inspiring to see our teens across the country get involved and speak directly to their peers about the dangers of opioid abuse,” said Kevin Hartmann, President of the DEA Educational Foundation.
“A lot of hard work and passion went into every video. Congratulations to all of the participants on a job well done!”
“We proudly join with the DEA to congratulate the teen finalists of the first annual Operation Prevention Video Challenge,” said Lori McFarling, Senior Vice President, Discovery Education.
“With the opioid epidemic taking its toll on students nationwide, it’s never been more important to amplify the digital storying skills of these teens to make a difference, and provide powerful classroom resources on the impacts of prescription opioid misuse.”
Learn More about Operation Prevention
The DEA Educational Foundation
Established in 2001, the DEA Educational Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to preventing drug abuse. The foundation supports the DEA through advocacy, outreach, and educational programs.
Discovery Education
Discovery Education is the global leader in standards-based digital content and professional development for K-12, transforming teaching and learning with award-winning digital textbooks, multimedia content that supports the implementation of Common Core, professional development, assessment tools, and the largest professional learning community of its kind.
Serving 4.5 million educators and over 50 million students, Discovery Education’s services are in half of U.S. classrooms, 50 percent of all primary schools the UK, and more than 50 countries.
Discovery Education partners with districts, states and like-minded organizations to captivate students, empower teachers, and transform classrooms with customized solutions that increase academic achievement.
