Instructor John Allen III, Sheavon Ferreira-Delima, Kelcy Spencer, Courtney Anne Aboy, Kekoa Kaluhiokalani
By Staff Reports
(Honolulu)- After months of hard work writing, directing, and editing their own public service announcements (PSAs) about the important health issues facing teenagers today, hundreds of Hawaii teens, their parents, and their teachers were given celebrity status at the 2013 HMSA Teen Video Awards. The Hollywood-style red carpet event, held tonight at the Hawaii Convention Center, was an opportunity to recognize these students for their efforts to make a difference and inspire change among their peers.
Waianae junior Courtney Anne Aboy and her team took the Best of Show honor for their PSA, “Love Bag.” The 28-second PSA about domestic violence was one of more than 150 videos submitted by students from 33 public and independent middle schools and high schools. “Love Bag” also took first place in the Teen Safety category, and earned Waianae High School $2,000 in prize money for this one submission.
First-place winners in each category received $1,000 for video equipment or software for their schools. Second- and third-place winners received $500 and $250, respectively. The Best Middle School entry received $1,000. The Best of Show winner received an additional $1,000.
Farrington students on the red carpet at the HMSA TVA Awards
In keeping with the red carpet theme, awards were given for the Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Original Music. Special prizes were awarded by contest sponsors the Hawaii Meth Project, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Hawaii, and the Domestic Violence Action Center. As further recognition, top PSAs will be aired on local television stations in May and June.
The Best of Show and top winners in each category were:
- Best of Show
“Love Bag” by Waianae High School Students: Courtney Anne Aboy, Kekoa Kaluhiokalani, Sheavon Ferreira-Delima, Kelcy Spencer Teacher: John Allen III
- Addiction Prevention
1st Place: “Not a Game” by Maui Waena Intermediate Students: Renee Matsuda, Rosie Almen, Rexie Butihi, Vinrichie Bongcaron, Deezan Ramiscal Teacher: Jennifer Suzuki
◦ 2nd Place: “Voodoo” by Waianae High School Students: Jacoby Cid, Dannen Timbreza-Dano, Shaughn Spencer, Jessica Mathussen, Lopaka Keliikoa Kapololu Teachers: Mike Oconnor and Curtis Furumoto
◦ 3rd Place: “Meth” by Kapaa High School Students: Inanna Grimes, Hannah Wyatt, Noe Hummel, Nicole Cottingham Teacher: Michelle Rundbaken
- Healthy Living
◦ 1st Place: “Journey On” by Waianae High School Students: Josiah Endo, Shayla Bradley, Kerstye Kau, Kahunui Foster Teacher: John Allen III
◦ 2nd Place: “Jump In” by Moanalua High School Students: Korie Lum, Isabelle Sayno Teacher: Mark Ikenaga
◦ 3rd Place: “Protect Willy” by Waianae High School Students: Jacoby Cid TeacherS: Mike Oconnor and Curtis Furumoto
- Mental Health
◦ 1st Place: “Do You Really Want to Be Like Me?” by Waianae High School Students: Jailynn Yoshimi, Emma Jordan, Faron Jove, Lopaka Keliikoa Kapololu, Jessica Nelson, Maile Gonsalves, Robert Lagrimas Teachers: Mike Oconnor and Curtis Furumoto
◦ 2nd Place: “Jumbled” by Waianae High School Students: Tracie Tapeni, Alysha Valdez, Rani Batchelor, Kamalani Soares Teacher: John Allen III
◦ 3rd Place: “If I Had a Penny” by Mililani High School Student: Lauren Padilla Teacher: Jason Tamura
- Teen Safety
◦ 1st Place: “Love Bag” by Waianae High School Students: Courtney Anne Aboy, Kekoa Kaluhiokalani, Sheavon Ferreira-Delima, Kelcy Spencer Teacher: John Allen III
◦ 2nd Place: “Intexticated” by Kapolei High School Students: Puamaiole Kala-Reansato, Christopher Braine, Patrick Guazon, Rothburn Izreal, Lawson Himalaya Teacher: Victor Salazar
◦ 3rd Place: “I Used to Dream” by Waianae High School Students: Brandon Rojo, Cassidy Bek, Mikela Chong, Amber Maeshiro-Moreira Teacher: John Allen III
- Best Middle School Entry
“Not A Game” by Maui Waena Intermediate
Students: Renee Matsuda, Rosie Almen, Rexie Butihi, Vinrichie Bongcaron, Deezan Ramiscal
Teacher: Jennifer Suzuki
- Best Actress
“Buckle Up Mobile” by Moanalua High School
Actress: Shannel Cabuhat
Students: Shaneika Aguilar, Czanna Caberto, Kevin Caguillo
Teacher: Mark Ikenaga
- Best Actor
“The Drink Up” by Kapolei High School
Actor: Christopher Braine
Students: Puamaiole Kala-Reantaso, Lawson Himalaya, Izreal Rath
Teacher: Victor Salazar
- Best Original Music
“Worth the Fight” by Farrington High School
Musicians: John Taupule and Lawrance Maileoi
Students: Ismael Salameh, Tre Gelacio
Teacher: Christine Ho
- Voters’ Choice Award
“Your Dream Energy Booster” by Maui High School
Student: Zoe Whitney
Teacher: Clint Gima
- Special Award by Domestic Violence Action Center for Domestic Violence Prevention
“He Was Different” by Mililani High School
Students: Rachel Reichard, Eric Salazar, Paige Deloye, Conrad Wolfe
Teacher: Jason Tamura
- Special Award by The Hawaii Meth Project for Meth Prevention
“My Goals” by Kapaa High School
Student: Kaylee Silva
Teacher: Michelle Rundbaken
- Special Award by MADD for Underage Drinking Prevention
“Not A Game” by Maui Waena Intermediate School
Students: Renee Matsuda, Rosie Almen, Rexie Butihi, Vinrichie Bongcaron, Deezan Ramiscal
Teacher: Jennifer Suzuki
Maui High School, this year’s Voters’ Choice Award winner, received $500 for their film, “Your Dream Energy Boost.” Zoe Whitney’s PSA received the most votes from the public on HMSA’s YouTube channel. In all, the videos that were posted received more than 17,660 views and 2,599 votes.
“The Voters’ Choice is one of our favorite categories because students encourage their friends, family, teachers, and their community to watch these amazing videos they’ve produced,” says Elisa Yadao, HMSA’s senior vice president of consumer experience. “The level of talent these students display gets better and better each year and it’s thanks to their efforts that more people are thinking about the important health issues facing teenagers today.”
Sponsors of tonight’s event include the Hawai‘i Medical Service Association (HMSA), the Department of Education (DOE), the Domestic Violence Action Center, the Hawaii Meth Project, and MADD-Hawaii.
About HMSA
Caring for the people of Hawaii is our promise and our privilege. Working together with employers, partners, and physicians and other health care providers, we promote wellness; develop reliable, affordable health plans; and support members with clear, thoughtful guidance.
HMSA is the most experienced health plan in the state, covering more than half of Hawaii’s population. As a recognized leader, we embrace our responsibility to strengthen the health and well-being of our community.
Headquartered on Oahu with centers statewide to serve our members, HMSA is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.