Salem – John Patterson, a student from South Salem High School, won $500 for his first-place video titled “Lorenzo’s Blog,” which promotes young worker safety and the importance of speaking up. The video, told from a first-person diary perspective, depicts Lorenzo’s struggle with finding a job and ultimately being asked to do unsafe duties. South Salem High School also won a matching amount of prize money.
“My grandpa died from asbestos and he worked in a factory when he was really young,” said Patterson. “I thought that making this video would help people who should have a voice and encourage young people to speak up.”
The other winners are as follows:
Second place ($400):
“This is My Scar”
Joshua Elliot, Robert Elliot
South Salem High School
Third place ($300):
“Work Safety for Teens”
Zachary Tennant
La Pine High School
The creators of the top videos were presented their awards Saturday during a special screening at the Northern Lights Theatre in Salem. The video contest is designed to increase awareness about safety for young workers, with the theme of “Speak up. Work safe.” Students were asked to create a video with a teen job safety and health message and were judged on creativity, production value, youth appeal, and the overall safety and health message. All of the winning videos, as well as the other finalists, are available for viewing on YouTube: www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLM75uPd4sBhw4U8dnwg5OKrKsxo0rvrLa.
Follow the video contest conversation on social media with the tag #Oyesvideo.
