Calling all students in Delaware in grades 6 through 12! Here’s your chance to "Get Up and Do Something" and possibly win $1,000, plus co-direct a 30-second video commercial on healthy lifestyles for 12- to 18-year-olds.
You better Get Up and Do Something now. The March 15 deadline for the 2nd annual "Get Up and Do Something" video contest is fast approaching.
The Get Up and Do Something video contest is part of a media campaign and educational effort sponsored by the Delaware Division of Public Health. In its second year, the contest provides an opportunity for youth to get involved in promoting physical activity and healthy eating.
As a direct result of taking on the challenge, Patrick Quinn, a graduate of Wilmington Friends School and previous video contest winner, got a head start on pursuing his career. Quinn’s winning submission, "Couch Busters," a parody of the 1980s hit movie
"Ghostbusters" not only provided him with the opportunity to co-direct the 30-second spot, it also gave him first-hand work experience which he credits for "getting me into my college of choice so I could study screenwriting.”
Quinn is currently enrolled at Chapman University, a Liberal Arts college located in Southern California.
“Winning the contest was a blast with the added bonus of working with an actual production company.” Quinn explained that he had a say in the outcome of the 30-second commercial and that the creative concept for the end product was close to his original idea. “To my surprise, the people on the set and the producer actually listened to me and followed my suggestions throughout the production.”
“Even if being a producer is not what you aspire to be, the Get Up and Do Something video contest is a fun way to be creative and help your peers get active in making healthy lifestyle choices,” explained Dr. Michael Peterson, coordinator of the Get Up and Do Something video contest from the University of Delaware.
“Obesity and sedentary lifestyles are having a profound impact on the health of our youth,” explained Michelle Eichinger, Physical Activity Program Administrator, Delaware Division of Public Health. According to 2007 Youth Risk
Behavior Survey data, almost one-third of Delaware high school students are either overweight or obese, and only one in every three students meets recommended levels of daily activity.
Eichinger noted that Delaware ranks as the 16th most obese and overweight state in the nation for children, according to Trust for America’s Health. “The impact on the health, academics, and future lives of our students is being compromised by lifestyles that neglect physical activity and healthy nutrition.”
The contest encourages students to get involved with the campaign, vote for their favorite videos, promote healthy behaviors, and help address the growing health crisis among youth. In addition to the top prize of $1,000, four $250 runner-up prizes will also be awarded.
For more information on the video contest rules and entry submissions, visit www.getupanddosomething.org and click on the video contest link.
