Waianae High takes first
in national TV challenge
A video produced on deadline by students at Waianae High School has won first place in the national Student Television Network's "News-Feature Challenge," besting 35 teams from across the country.
"This could air as is and make an impact on network TV," judges said in announcing their unanimous selection of the video created by students Liberty Peralta, Keoni Fernandez, Linda Siu and Keone Taaca.
Contestants received their assignment via e-mail and had six days to create a video, up to four minutes long, on the subject of overweight teens.
"It was really satisfying to know that we could compete on that level not only on the technical side, but in writing," said John Allen III, an adviser to the students. "The judges liked the way the students tackled the story."
The Searider Productions team took a positive approach, profiling one of their classmates who is overweight but lives life to the fullest. They also wove in historical context such as the benefits of a traditional Hawaiian diet and current data on obesity.
"We wanted to do something different," said Siu, a junior. "When we found out we had won, it was really overwhelming."
The students received their award last month at the Student Television Network convention in Portland, Ore.