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Students voice their opinions
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| Joy Zarra films Agate High School students as they voice their opinions about healthy relationships during the multimedia contest kick-off on Nov. 20. Courtesy photo |
By Ashley Dieterle
The 18th Judicial District Attorney’s Office kicked off their teen multimedia contest on Nov. 20 at Agate High School. The contest is designed to get teens to reflect on and understand healthy relationships and encourage them to develop nonviolent, respectful relationships with peers, family and the community in a creative manner.
This the second year of the contest and after having only an essay contest last year, the developers decided to mix things up by allowing teens to be more creative with their ideas and entries. Students in 11th and 12th grades in Elbert, Arapahoe, Douglas and Lincoln counties are eligible to participate. Students are invited to apply research, be creative, use critical thinking skills and explore this issue through writing, artwork or audio/visual entries.
The top three entries will receive prizes — grand prize is a $1,000 scholarship and an iPod Classic, second prize is a $500 scholarship and an iPod Nano and third prize is a $250 scholarship and an iPod Shuffle. The deadline for entries is Jan. 9.
Kimberly Wheeler, Rural Domestic Violence Outreach Specialist, and Joy Zarra, Diversion Counselor, spent their time at Agate High School providing information and education on domestic violence. Wheeler said is it important to inform teens about domestic violence because domestic violence is the number one violent crime in the 18th jurisdiction.
“I think the contest will raise awareness about teen dating abuse,” she said. “Sometimes the way we behave in relationships when we are younger carry on to adulthood and this way teens can be aware and know if the relationship they are in is a healthy or unhealthy one.”
Students at Agate High School were able to speak openly about anything regarding domestic violence and relationships. Wheeler said it was important to let the students voice their opinions and ask questions and those who did were also on film that in the future may be a public service announcement.
For complete contest information and rules, contact Wheeler at 720-874-8574 or visit www.da18.org
This the second year of the contest and after having only an essay contest last year, the developers decided to mix things up by allowing teens to be more creative with their ideas and entries. Students in 11th and 12th grades in Elbert, Arapahoe, Douglas and Lincoln counties are eligible to participate. Students are invited to apply research, be creative, use critical thinking skills and explore this issue through writing, artwork or audio/visual entries.
The top three entries will receive prizes — grand prize is a $1,000 scholarship and an iPod Classic, second prize is a $500 scholarship and an iPod Nano and third prize is a $250 scholarship and an iPod Shuffle. The deadline for entries is Jan. 9.
Kimberly Wheeler, Rural Domestic Violence Outreach Specialist, and Joy Zarra, Diversion Counselor, spent their time at Agate High School providing information and education on domestic violence. Wheeler said is it important to inform teens about domestic violence because domestic violence is the number one violent crime in the 18th jurisdiction.
“I think the contest will raise awareness about teen dating abuse,” she said. “Sometimes the way we behave in relationships when we are younger carry on to adulthood and this way teens can be aware and know if the relationship they are in is a healthy or unhealthy one.”
Students at Agate High School were able to speak openly about anything regarding domestic violence and relationships. Wheeler said it was important to let the students voice their opinions and ask questions and those who did were also on film that in the future may be a public service announcement.
For complete contest information and rules, contact Wheeler at 720-874-8574 or visit www.da18.org
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