2012 Teens Drive Smart Video Contest Wants You to Win $50,000 in College Scholarships

Teens Drive Smart Video Contest

Bridgestone recently opened up submissions for their 2012 Teens Drive Smart Video Contest. This contest gives students the chance to showcase their creative movie making skills, while trying to grab part of $50,000 in college scholarships Bridgestone is giving away.

The Teens Drive Smart Video Contest is looking for short automotive safety-themed videos, which encourages drivers to make good decisions behind the wheel. A good example for a theme would be “Don't text while driving.” (Something I am sure you don't do… right?)

Students who are between the ages 16-21 years old are eligible to enter. If you want to submit a video to be judged by Bridgestone the deadline is June 22nd, 2012.

After receiving the video submissions Bridgestone will have a panel of judges determine the Top 10 videos. These Top 10 will then be posted on Youtube, so the public can vote on on their favorites.  The three videos that receive the most votes will win the coveted scholarships; The Grand Prize winner will receive $25,000; second place receives $15,000 and third place receives $10,000. Not too bad if you ask me!

The scholarships are not the only prize in the competition. The Grand Prize winner will have their video air on the MTV Jumbotron in Times Square in New York City during August. Just try to imagine the awesomeness of your video up on a Jumbotron!

Also, the Top 10 Finalists of the contest will have the chance to have their video used as a public service announcement (PSA) on television stations across the United States.  In addition they will receive a new set of four Bridgestone or Firestone branded tires.

If you are interested in submitting a video, keep in mind your submission should make viewers be more more safety-conscious when using their vehicles. In addition the video should effectively and creatively communicate the message you are trying to get across.  Last year's winner Amber Cullen won with her video, “The Phone Bandit.”  You can also view last prior's winners via Teens Drive Smart website to get a better idea of what you should do for your video.

Each year the videos get more creative, fun, and interesting. I assume this year's contest won't be any different.

I am not eligible for this contest, but if I were I would try to use something crazy and fun.  Like my talented singing dogs! (We even made an appearance on Anderson with Anderson Cooper at Lincoln Center! :))

Anyway, try to remember it’s not just about getting a scholarship for college but helping make people more aware of dangerous driving habits. Your video can potentially create safer drivers on our roads.

For more info and to submit a video visit: http://www.teensdrivesmart.com

Adam’s Auto Advice Turns 2 Years-Old Today Along With This 200th Post!

Me and My Dog Cody!

I thought I would share an important milestone with all the fans and readers of my humble blog, Adam's Auto Advice. This blog is now 2 years-old as of today.  Happy Birthday… to myself I guess! 🙂

It's amazing to think that my blog is 2 years old! Honestly it feels like I have been blogging and writing about cars forever, but it really has not been that long.

I look back at all the amazing posts and articles I have written. The articles and posts range from the fun and whacky Charm City Pedal Mill, the interesting Baltimore start-up ParkingPanda, attending the Baltimore Grand Prix, and breaking news about RelayRides. I have even tested automotive products and gone to a few car and auto shows.

Probably the best thing I have written about on this blog was my road trip from Irvine, CA to back to Baltimore.  It was an amazing trip and I hope to do many more road trips and a cross-country road trip again soon.

You know, I started this blog and didn't have set high hopes for my writing but look at me now! I am a full time auto journalist and blogger. I was able to go from writing as a hobby to writing about cars professionally.

Looking back at my first post, and some of my early writing such as this Top Gear editorial my writing has come a long way and fast. I am fortunate to be able to be doing something creative and love what I am doing.

I feel proud of everything I have been accomplished with this blog and other writing I have done.

As well sharing my experience when I appeared on Anderson with Anderson Cooper for the TV show's New Year's Special. I performed “Auld Lange Syne” with my singing dogs, Cody and Sierra, which was an amazing experience which I shared on this blog. (Of course it had nothing to do with cars, but I did drive up to New York-City with my dogs.)

I am glad to have had all these interesting and varied experiences. I hope to share more auto news, advice, tips & tricks, product reviews, with everyone via Adam's Auto Advice. I know I will continue to grow and experience more amazing automotive experiences in the future.

I also appreciate all the people with a shared passion for cars I have meet along my journey. We have exchanged web advice, writing tips, and personal stories of “Auto Awesomeness!”

Someone who deserves credit for my blog is my brother Jason. He helped me get this blog up and running and switch from Blogger to WordPress. He's also helped keep this blog going and updated. Thanks Jason!

I certainly have not crossed everything off on my automotive bucket list. I know I have a lot more great experiences ahead of me.

This is actually my 200th post! I didn't plan that, but it is a happy coincidence.  There will be hundreds of more great articles and posts along the way. I am going to make an effort to post more and most likely shorter articles in the future.

I hope all of you continue to follow my writing and work. Please Follow me on Twitter, Facebook, or Pinterest to keep updated.

I look forwarding to writing about cars and on this blog for many more years.

My Singing Dogs make TV Debut on “Anderson”

singing dogs
Central Park, after taping Anderson

Yesterday Sierra, Cody, my Mom and I appeared on  Anderson Cooper's new daytime talk show, Anderson, on national TV!  It was quite amazing to see ourselves on TV with Anderson Cooper.  It was sort of surreal, “Was that real?”

Then I flashed back to when we actually went up to New York City for the taping and remembered talking with Anderson Cooper.  That was real!

When you see yourself on national TV though, you realize a lot of people will see this!  My immediate thoughts when I saw myself on TV were, “Is that really me?”  You tend to have an outer image of what you think you look like.  When you see a picture of yourself you are not crazy about you rationalize, “Oh well, nobody will see this!”

I was pleased with how the whole segment turned out.  You are kind of afraid that maybe you did something odd or stupid, and did not realize it.  Then it will be shown on TV!  I thought my playing was good, and Sierra's singing was wonderful.  It looked like Cody was going to sing, but I guess he wasn't in the mood.  He had such a stoic and proud look when Sierra was singing.  He's got a great voice as well, but maybe he just wanted Sierra to have the spotlight.

At least I was happy I able to keep my composure.  I was also happy that the dogs behaved and that they looked very nice on TV.  The baths definitely helped!

When the segment aired Cody watched intently like he usually does when dogs are on TV.  However,  this time he was watching himself.  Sierra did something pretty hilarious.  When she heard herself on TV, she vocalized softly while lying down on the bed through the entire song.  It was great!

If you missed the Anderson segment yesterday, don't worry.  It has already been posted on the Anderson website.  Click here, to watch it.  The segment did not show our full Auld Lang Syne video.  Check out the SingingSierra Youtube Channel for additional videos.

In Baltimore it was on NBC at 2pm, but other people told me it was on Fox and CBS.  People also wrote emails saying the show aired at 9am and 10am in some parts of the country.  I don't know how TV works these days!

I hope this leads to more opportunities for us.  I have consulted with Sierra and Cody and they would like to use their musical gifts to help animals in need.

Please visit National English Shepherd Rescue (NESR), if you want to learn more about English Shepherds.  Maybe you would even like to adopt one to love and cherish.

 

Watch US On “Anderson” Today!

Hey Everyone,

In case you didn't know… I am going to be on Anderson today with Cody and Sierra!  This the first New Year's Eve Show (don't ask me why it is called that), which Anderson Cooper has done on his new daytime TV show.  It will be an exciting and totally awesome show, mainly because myself and my dogs will be on it.

It will be airing on NBC at 2pm on the EST, but you should check local listings.  Watch for us and then come back and leave a comment and let me know what you think.  I thought we had a good performance!