Megan Lee of Watkins Mill High School in Montgomery Village and Kairo Maysonet Walker of Julius West Middle School in Rockville are top winners in Keeping it Safe student video competition. The annual contest encourages teams from Montgomery County schools to create 30-second public service announcements on the risks and dangers associated with underage drinking. Middle and high school students are eligible to participate in the contest.
The competition is sponsored by Montgomery County Alcohol Beverage Services (ABS) and the Montgomery County Police Department. In this year’s contest, 59 videos were submitted from 31 schools. The winning entries receive cash prizes for their school.
The Keeping It Safe Coalition (KIS), founded in 1992, is an alliance of County departments, local organizations, and concerned residents working to deter underage alcohol access and use. The student video contest was funded by the Montgomery County Department of Police’s Traffic Division.
An awards ceremony held on Wednesday, May 8, at the Carver Educational Services Center in Rockville announced the winners.
High School Winners
First Place: Megan Lee from Watkins Mill High School, winning a $1,000 prize.
Second Place: Asher Anantham and Alana Anantham from Montgomery Blair High School, with assistance from Julius West Middle School, winning a $500 prize.
Third Place: Anjolaoluwa Adeleke from Walter Johnson High School, winning a $350 prize.
Honorable Mention: Lucy, Arhaat, Micah, and CJ from John F. Kennedy High School, winning a $100 prize.
Middle School Winners
First Place: Kairo Maysonet Walker from Julius West Middle School, winning a $500 prize.
Second Place: Shady Grove Middle School, winning a $300 prize.
Third Place: Cabin John Middle School, winning a $250 prize.
Honorable Mention: Ariel Callwood and Aylani Callwood from William H. Farquhar Middle School, winning a $100 prize.
For the third consecutive year, Travel Television, a member of the Keeping It Safe Coalition, sponsored the “most popular video” award for both high school and middle school participants, recognizing the video with the most online views and “likes.” The Most Popular video winners were Ariel and Aylani Callwood from William H. Farquhar Middle School, who will receive $150 payable directly to the students.
The winning videos are available for viewing on the ABS website.
