H-ton Senior’s Video in Impact Teen Drivers Contest
Huntington High School senior Elias Goldman wants your vote. The teenager is vying in the Impact Teen Drivers distracted driving video contest with thousands of dollars in prizes on the line.
Mr. Goldman is currently enrolled in a pair of video portfolio classes. He spends whatever free time he might have during the day in the high school computer lab editing his work. The senior recently captured a Best in Show Award at the Long Island Media Arts Show at Five Towns College in Dix Hills.
Impact Teen Drivers contest video was written, filmed and produced by Mr. Goldman. It stars Huntington High School senior Isabelle Harman as the sole member of the cast. The video was filmed in Huntington. To view the video and cast a vote for Mr. Goldman’s work visit: www.createrealimpact.com/view/2254.
“As a teen, how do you talk to your friends, parents, and even your siblings about the very real dangers of reckless and distracted driving?” Impact Teen Drivers asks on its website. “That is the very question Impact Teen Drivers began asking in 2007 while educating young drivers in schools about poor decision making behind the wheel. Teens across the United States all said the same thing, ‘let us do the messaging.’ Impact Teen Drivers created the Create Real Impact Contest to ask young people, ages 14-22, to show how they would talk about this very real problem.
Distracted and reckless driving is the leading killer of teens in America, according to Impact Teen Drivers. Video contest entries are expected to focus on solutions to this deadly epidemic.
Teenagers can win cash and prizes by entering art, music, video and creative writing works “to address reckless and distracted driving and solve the problem,” according to Impact Teen Drivers. “It’s that simple. This unique opportunity allows for a safe and expressive platform to speak out and create real impact.”
In a typical year, over 100,000 votes are cast on more than 2,000 contest entries – “all with a network of friends, loved ones, and young drivers and passengers raising their awareness to stop distracted and reckless driving behaviors,” Impact Teen Drivers said.
Contest judging occurs in two ways: Once by family, friends, classmates and teachers from April 13-18. Prizes will be awarded for the winners of this first stage. A second round of judging will be performed by a panel on April 19-20. Judges are responsible for selecting the grand prize winners based on the following criteria: 25 percent on concept and creativity; 25 percent on execution of idea; 50 percent on effectiveness of the message. Winners will be announced on April 22.
As his time at Huntington High School grows shorter, Mr. Goldman is increasingly thinking about college and his future. “Right now my top choice is Point Park University in Pittsburgh,” he said. “I’m going to be studying film for a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and focusing on editing.”
Mr. Goldman has been in Huntington High School’s video arts program since his freshman year, taking Video I, II and III. He was a member of the school’s video club during its run.
The teenager has developed a productive relationship with teacher Heather Swan, who leads the video program. “In our class we call her Mama Swan,” said Mr. Goldman about his teacher. “She helped me to realize my potential and not let me settle for good enough. She has also helped me by recommending me for several paid video jobs.”
Impact Teen Drivers is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization educating teens in schools on the dangers of reckless and distracted driving. For free resources and more information about Impact Teen Drivers visit www.impactteendrivers.org.