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

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.

 

Remembering 9/11 Ten Years Later

Today is the ten year anniversary of 9/11.  I can't believe it's been this long.  A decade is amazing.  I think the country changed profoundly on 9/11 and it's something for those of us that were alive will never forget.

I recall I was in school on 9/11 in the library. One of the teachers heard the news and turned on the TV, which showed the images of the Twin Towers burning.  I remember how shocking it was.  My young mind never really thought that those burning towers were an important historical event.  It also did not occur to me that the images I saw meant that a significant amount of people were dead.  I remember leaving the library and asking other students if they had heard the news.  To my surprise most that hadn't, because a majority of the classrooms did not have TV's.  I was probably one of the few students at my school who was actually watching what had happened.  Some had heard but were not aware of the enormity of the event and were not concerned.  A picture is worth a thousands words.

Thank You to all those Firefighters, Police Officers, and other service members wherever you are.  You jobs are difficult and sometimes thankless.  We all appreciate what you do everyday.

Safety Scholars voting ends Today!

The Safety Scholars video contest voting ends today.  If you have not voted for you favorite video yet, please make sure to do so.  Remember you are not just voting for lucky students who will receive a $10,000 and $5,000 college scholarships, you are eligible to win a prize just for voting.

Part of the goal of Safety Scholars is to create messages on driving safety that are, “Coming from another teenager to another teenager.”  says Angela Patterson, digital media coordinator, for Bridgestone Americas.  I would say this is exactly what the participants in Safety Scholars have accomplished.  The videos are creative, thought provoking, and extremely well executed.  It was hard for me to choose my favorite among the videos.  Watch the videos and please try your best.

To vote visit:  http://www.safetyscholarsvideo.com/?/finalists#

Safety Scholars video contest, Voting has begun

The top ten finalists have been chosen in Bridgestone's Safety Scholars video contest.  That means you can now vote for your favorite video on driving and vehicle safety.

The videos have been posted on safetyscholars.com. The student whose video receives the most votes will win a $10,000 college scholarship.  The second and third place winners receive $5,000 college scholarships.  The top ten finalists will also receive a free set of Bridgestone tires for their car.

When you vote for your favorite video you are also eligible to receive a prize.  The prizes are a variety of Bridgestone products.  Voting ends July 29, so make sure to vote.  The grand prize winner and runner-ups will be announced August 1.

There were 1,466 entries submitted by 16- to 21-year-olds across the United States and Canada, up from last year's 1,373 entries.  Judges picked the finalists based on how well the videos made viewers think about being more safety-conscious drivers and how effectively and creatively they were able to convey their message.

“The passion and creativity displayed in these videos is so incredible that it makes the judges’ decisions very difficult.  Safety Scholars once again proves to be an innovative campaign that empowers young drivers and allows us to demonstrate our commitment to safety behind the wheel.”  said Angela Patterson, digital media coordinator, Community and Corporate Relations, for Bridgestone Americas, who also manages the company’s teen driver safety initiatives.

Even more rewarding than the scholarships, the grand prize winners videos might be used as a public service announcement (PSA) on TV stations all across the country.  Bridgestone supports these in cooperation with Driver’s Edge, a non-profit hands-on safe driving course that’s available free to 15-to 21-year-olds in US cities during the Summer.  The 2010 Safety Scholars PSAs have aired more than 24,000 times on TV and cable stations across the United States.

The videos are all extremely well-done and very creative.  I have my own personal favorites, but I won't reveal which ones they are.  I will let you decide.

To vote please visit:  http://www.safetyscholarsvideo.com/?/finalists#

As well as receiving the scholarships the finalists will also get a free set of Bridgestone tires for their car.  The grand prize winners have the chance to have their video used as a public service announcement (PSA) on television stations all across the country.  Bridgestone supports these in cooperation with Driver’s Edge, a separate non-profit hands-on safe driving course that’s available free to 15-to 21-year-olds in US cities during the Summer. The 2010 Safety Scholars PSAs have aired more than 24,000 times on TV and cable stations across the United States.