DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM A video produced for American Healthways Inc. by a team of Waianae High School students made its world premiere yesterday during a screening at the school. Waianae adviser John Allen III, left, and student filmmaker Keoni Fernandez watched as the video ran. Fernandez, along with Keone Taaca, Nick Smith and Solomon Keaulii, produced the film showing how American Healthways nurses help Hawaii Medical Service Association members understand and manage chronic health conditions.
When Scott Sivik first suggested to his colleagues that they ask Waianae High School students to put together a video for their company, their faces gave away their feelings. Waianae students get
‘Oscars’ for sleek videoBy Susan Essoyan
sessoyan@starbulletin.comEyebrows shot up, and mouths twisted into puckers of doubt. The question, Sivik recalls, was, Why would you want to use a high school?
But American Healthways Inc. took a leap of faith, and celebrated yesterday the world premiere of a 10-minute corporate video made by a team from Searider Productions, Waianae High's award-winning multimedia program.
The company laid down a red carpet inside the drab concrete building that houses the school's studio and handed out golden Oscar-like statuettes to the four student filmmakers: Keoni Fernandez, Solomon Keaulii, Nick Smith and Keone Taaca.
"This is really extravagant," Taaca said later, clutching his trophy and shuffling one foot against the crimson carpet, strewn with star-shaped glitter. "It's exciting to see the classroom all duked up like this."
The company threw the party not only to honor the students, but to help spread the word to other businesses about the top-notch caliber of Searider Productions' work.
"What we're trying to do today is say, 'Hey, you have a resource in your back yard that you may not ever have thought about,' " said Sivik, American Healthways' regional vice president. "This is a perfect example of what is right about our public schools. Their work is outstanding."
The video, aimed at doctors, highlights how American Healthways nurses help Hawaii Medical Service Association members understand and manage chronic health conditions.
In exchange for the work, the company made a $5,000 donation to the scholarship fund that sends Waianae students to national journalism conventions.
Students in Searider Productions have taken top honors in national and local competitions. Cheryl Campos, a nurse who made her acting debut in the film, said she was amazed by their professionalism.
"You'd hardly ever think they were high school students," she said. "Everything was so smooth. They made it easy for us."
Waianae High School
American Healthways Inc.
