PHILIPSBURG:--- TEAM VSA's Youth VYBZ first ever video contest attracted 11 video messages comprising of seven team submissions and four individual submissions. On Friday last week a panel of judges debated who the top three winners should be. Participants video messages were judged based on the level of originality (10pts), creativity (10pts), understanding of the topic (15pts), and the overall strength of their message (15pts). The panel of judges included the Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labour (VSA) Minister Cornelius de Weever, along with two representatives from the Ministry of VSA Mr. Byron Isebia from Community Development, Family and Humanitarian Affairs and Ms. Swinda Richardson from Collective Prevention Services (CPS). Joining them were two representatives from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports Affairs, Mrs. Sidonia Lacorbiniere-Hodge and Mrs. Faye Arnell.
Minister de Weever expressed in a press release on Monday that the judges were captivated by the level of creativity the youths displayed. "The videos were very touching with powerful messages and we are enthusiastic about the impact they will have on the younger and older generations", said Minister de Weever. The top three videos from the solo and team submissions will be used as PSAs on Facebook and Cable TV. The Ministry of VSA is looking into the possibility of playing the PSAs during the commercial and preview section of the PG-13 movies at Caribbean Cinemas in Cole Bay. All videos will also be compiled onto a CD and presented to each school to be used as discussion point in different classes.
Winners will be announced at an official ceremony on Thursday June 19th at the A.C. Legislative Hall from 3:00pm-4:30pm. Stay tuned to YOUTH VYBZ on Facebook for more information.