Attention Lansing Area Students: YouTube Can Graduate

The “YouTube Can Graduate!” Youth Video Campaign is to encourage youth-to-youth video communication about the importance of a High School diploma for future Greatness!

The “YouTube Can Graduate!” youth video campaign is designed to produce viral videos.  Young people know the score; they know why there are “drop-outs” and why there are “drop-ins.”  They know how to convey the message that “YouTube Can Graduate!”  So let’s let them do it via video!

The folks who developed this campaign are volunteers. We were surprised when we first learned that Lansing’s drop-out rate was one of the worst in the state – 25%, and it is worse for students of color – Hispanic students are dropping out at 29% and for African American students the rate is 28%.  It is especially surprising that in a time of increased demand for educated workers the drop-out rate is increasing.

We believe the situation won’t get any better until our young people use the media they know best to convey what they believe about their future!  We also believe that videos are a terrific way to engage, inform and promote change. We’re promoting youth to youth communication, not any school program.

Here’s a chance for you and your friends to make a difference and help kids who are at risk of dropping out.  Here’s How?

Recruit Your Friends: Get a team of friends and record a two- to three-minute video on the benefits of staying in school.

Get a Cam: When you’re ready to get going, get your hands on a video camera.*  You can use your cell phone or a digital camera to put together a video slide show. If you need to borrow a flip cam, Action has one to lend. Call 517-488-1143 to arrange to borrow it.

Film It / Snap It: Take your video or if you’re not using video, get some digital shots of yourself  and your friends in action. Interview people you know about how they managed to graduate. Interview some people who didn’t graduate. Interview employers. Get creative and take some fun action pics.

Upload it to You Tube and send the link to actionofgreaterlansing@gmail.com. Include the application form in your e-mail.

Come to the Nehemiah Assembly to see the winners. The 2012 Nehemiah Assembly will feature the best of the videos we receive and we’ll be announcing the winners at the event. So be there: Tuesday, October 16, 2012, 6:30 pm, at Cristo Rey Church, 201 W. Miller Road, Lansing.

 

PROGRAM RULES

• Deadline is midnight September 23, 2012.
• Maximum length of the video will be 3 minutes in YouTube acceptable digital format.
• Entries will be put it up on YouTube by the applicant and a link sent  to actionofgreaterlansing@gmail.com. Action of Greater Lansing will share them on their YouTube channel, and their website, ActionofGreaterLansing.org
• Applicants must also submit via e-mail the Application and Release Form.
• The voting board members of Action of Greater Lansing, a 501c3 non-profit organization incorporated in the state of Michigan, will determine the prize winners based on message, creativity and use of the media.
• Prize winners will be notified on September 28, 2012.
• The best videos will be featured at our Action of Greater Lansing Nehemiah Public Meeting, October 16, 2012, 6:30 pm at Cristo Rey Catholic Church.
• The best of the best will receive a $500 cash prize, second and third best will each receive $250 cash prizes.
•  We will provide a list of resources for making and uploading videos.
•  Assistance with equipment and technical is available.