Top video awards
go to Kapolei High

Public and private school students
created public service announcements
about healthy living

Kapolei High School took top honors at last night's 2nd annual Teen Video Awards Contest.

Sponsored by HMSA, Hawaii Department of Education, Sassy/G Magazine and Mothers Against Drunk Driving, the competition was open to all local public and private school students in grades six through 12. A total of 211 entries were submitted from 46 schools, and the top 80 were shown at the award ceremony last night at the Hawaii Convention Center.

The students had 27 seconds to convey a compelling public service announcement about the dangers of substance abuse and the importance of living a healthy life. Winning PSAs will be aired on local TV stations later this year, and each winning school will receive vouchers to purchase additional video equipment or software.

And the winners are:

» Best of Show: "Drinking and Driving" by Kapolei High School students Abram Kamalamalama, Chad Lucero, Robert Lindsey and Ericka Lalau. Teacher: Daryl Madela.

» Best Anti-Drug PSA: "Inertia" by Kamehameha Schools, Kapalama Campus, student Rusty Awana. Teachers: Patricia Gillespie and Jay Metzger.

» Best Anti-Underage Drinking PSA: "Drinking Affects Everyone ..." by Campbell High School students Chad Ryan Udani, Ralph Acidera and Louie Jaictin. Teacher: Oscar Ramiscal.

» Best Anti-Smoking PSA: "W.O.M.D." by Aiea High School student Cody Brooks. Teacher: Corena Talioaga.

» Health & Fitness PSA: "Get Out and Exercise" by Seabury Hall School student Elliot Wilson Cost. Teacher: Kathryn Czar.

Special recognition went to:

» Most Original PSA: "Mr. Butt" by Kaiser High School students Chanelle Kanoa, Janell Koike and Steven Awana. Teacher: Shannon McMonagle.

» Best Computer Generated PSA: "Archer" by Mililani High School student Andrew Kerekes. Teacher: Shelly Bishop.

» Most Humorous PSA: "Pillowcase Head" by Aiea High School student Michale Ian Donato. Teacher: Corena Talioaga.

» Most Creative PSA: "Life is Not a Game" by Saint Louis School students Ronan Arbitrario and Reenan Arbitrario. Teacher: Gordon Horiuchi.

» Most Dramatic PSA: "Words Can Kill" by Moanalua High School student Gerald Rupert Rojo II. Teacher: Dan Hale.