Teens ‘Take A Stand’ In Contest

Kaiser High School recently placed first in the Best Tear-Jerker category of the HMSA Teen Video competition, earning $1,000 for video equipment and software for the school. The team behind ‘Take A Stand' is (from left) Kekai Quan, Crissia Vaughn, Kainao Allen and teacher Tanya Misi. To view the winning PSAs, go to hmsa.com/tva. Photo from Moani Wright-Van Alst.

By Caitlin Basilio

Hundreds of Hawaii teens, their families and teachers were treated to a Hollywood-style red carpet event May 9 as the Hawaii Medical Service Association honored the 2012 Teen Video Awards winners – which included a team from Kaiser High School.

The Cougars won the Best Tear-Jerker award for their video entry, Take a Stand.

Broadcast media and video production teacher Tanya Misi led students Kainoa Allen, Crissia and Luke Vaughn, and Kekai Quan in producing their video. “Working with these students was really great,” Misi said. “They had a vision from the start and knew almost exactly what they wanted to do.”

Take a Stand was about putting a stop to domestic violence. Students wanted to “send a message to their audience by using the strength of media,” Misi explained, adding that the most rewarding part of the competition was the experience her students gained. “Some of them realized what they wanted to do with their lives. My goal was to give them a taste of the field (broadcast media).”

The Best Tear-Jerker win came with an Apple gift card for the team and a gift bag for each student.

Sponsors of the ninth annual program were the state DOE, Domestic Violence Action Center, Hawaii Meth Project and Mothers Against Drunk Driving Hawaii.