(ATLANTA) – For a second year, the Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District (Metro Water District) asked high school students from around metro Atlanta to create public service announcements to call attention to the steps residents can take to improve water quality in metro Atlanta. This year, more than 200 students submitted 30- to 60-second videos that focused on this year’s topic, “Here’s the Scoop on Pet Waste.”
The applicants used creative approaches such as writing and singing original music, to deliver the message that pet waste can create a health hazard for people and can “doo” a lot of damage to the environment. The judges reported that the decision-making process was difficult due to the caliber of the submissions this year. The three finalists’ videos were chosen for their entertainment value as well as their ability to deliver the message that picking up after your pet helps keep our rivers, lakes and streams healthy for recreation and protects human health and the plants and animals that depend on clean water.
The 2015 winners are:
- First Place $1,500: Brittany Hulette and Erica Hulette – Allatoona High, Cobb County
- Second Place $1,000: Imani Miller – Mill Creek High, Gwinnett County
- Third Place $500: Cody McKinlay, Layne Ponce – Allatoona High, Cobb County
“When it comes to water management, we are all in it together. The High School Video Contest involves students in promoting how area residents can do their part,” said Dallas Mayor Boyd Austin, chairman of the District. “Many people don’t realize the sophisticated infrastructure and management required to treat and deliver water to your house on a guaranteed 24/7 basis. Preventing water pollution can help defray some of the treatment and operations costs necessary to ensure we have clean, safe water available each time you turn on the faucet.”
“These students did such a wonderful job with video production and the messaging. Pet waste is a nuisance and can impact our water quality. Many people don’t realize that their actions can contribute to the problem, but these videos will help us spread the word,” explained Metro Water District Principal Education Program Specialist Kostoula Vallianos. The videos will air throughout the region by the Metro Water District and its members in presentations, on websites and on local access stations.
The students and their schools will share the prize money. The Metro Water District will also honor the students at recognition ceremonies at their schools. View the winners’ videos and all the submissions
About the Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District
The Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District is the planning organization dedicated to developing comprehensive regional and watershed-specific water resources plans to be implemented by local governments in the District. These plans protect water quality and public water supplies in and downstream of the region, protect recreational values of the waters in and downstream of the region and minimize potential adverse impacts of development on waters in and downstream of the region.