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Gov. Dannel Malloy, Attorney General George Jepsen, Travelers executives, students and other teen driving safety advocates from around the state chose the Top 10 best student-made videos submitted for the contest. The winners will be announced at an April 7 awards ceremony.
The annual public service video competition drew more than 137 entries that involved nearly 549 students statewide.
“This annual safe teen driving video contest has proven to be one of the best ways to reach out to young drivers in our state. It’s about peer interaction - teens talking to teens – which is generally the most effective way to spread the message of safe driving amongst young people,” said Malloy. “Growing awareness and increased participation in this contest demonstrate that word is getting out and I want to congratulate all of this year’s participants on a job well done.”
The governor, 10 students and other finalist judges discussed the impact of the 25-second video public service commercials.
The following schools ranked in the Top 10:
- Arts at the Capitol Theater in Willimantic (two entries)
- Daniel Hand High School in Madison (two entries)
- Darien High School
- East Lyme High School
- Hall High School in West Hartford (two entries)
- Simsbury High School
- Waterbury Arts Magnet School
All the finalists' videos can be viewed here at YouTube.
Yale-New Haven Children's Hospital is offering $500 to the school whose multi-cultural video gets the most views by end of March.
“The videos send very powerful and persuasive messages to all drivers about the dangers of distracted driving, but hopefully they will have the greatest impact on young drivers,” said Jepsen. “The filmmakers have done great work in trying to persuade fellow students to stay safe behind the wheel and this contest is well-deserved recognition for their efforts.”
Students who worked on the project are Katherine Cimini of Rocky Hill, a senior, and Ama Appiah of Middletown, a junior, both at Mercy High School; and Stephanie Lewis of Woodbury, Hannah McCollam of New Fairfield, and Allie Caselli of Woodbury, all juniors at Nonnewaug High School in Woodbury.
“I want to help teens realize how important safe driving is while also promoting fun and creative ways to help teens and their families learn all about teen safe driving,” said Katherine Cimini.
Travelers, as the contest's corporate sponsor, donates $15,000 in prizes to winning students' schools - $5,000 for first place; $4,000 for second place; $3,000 for third place; $2,000 for fourth place; and $1,000 for fifth place. The winners will be announced at an April 7 awards ceremony.
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