<strong>CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA</strong> - The Virginia School Boards Association’s (VSBA) eleventh annual student video contest challenged high school students across Virginia to create a 30-second video centered on the theme “Rising Above.” The first, second and third place winners, selected out of 23 submissions, were announced today at the opening general session of the VSBA Annual Convention in Williamsburg, VA, and the videos were shown to the convention’s attendees.
<ul>
 	<li><strong>1<sup>st</sup> Place: “Take the Next Steps” </strong> <a href="https://youtu.be/TRxIOn7r2ig">youtu.be/TRxIOn7r2ig</a>, Atlee, Hanover, Mechanicsville, Patrick High Schools (Hanover County Public Schools)</li>
</ul>
<ul>
 	<li><strong>2<sup>nd</sup> Place:</strong> <strong>“What is Rising Above?”</strong> <a href="https://youtu.be/qNwVza_BYeM">youtu.be/qNwVza_BYeM</a>, Arlington Career Center (Arlington County Public Schools)</li>
</ul>
<ul>
 	<li><strong>3<sup>rd</sup> Place:</strong> <strong>“Forging Ahead to Rise Above</strong>”  <a href="https://youtu.be/wI7C9wgUDyk">youtu.be/wI7C9wgUDyk</a>,Smithfield High School (Isle of Wight County Public Schools)</li>
</ul>
In addition to the top three videos listed above, there were two Honorable Mentions:
<ul>
 	<li><strong>Honorable Mention:</strong> <strong>“Rise Above”</strong> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwlPD3EB8zc">youtube.com/watch?v=cwlPD3EB8zc</a>, Meridian High School (Falls Church Public Schools)</li>
 	<li><strong>Honorable Mention:</strong> <strong>“Rising Above”</strong> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dO_n4377_E">youtube.com/watch?v=3dO_n4377_E</a>,Greensville County High School (Greensville County Public Schools)</li>
</ul>
The contest gives students an opportunity to create thought-provoking videos individually, in a small group, or as a class project. Videos were judged on how well they addressed the topic, the quality of the production of the video, as well as the depth of thought and creativity of the video. The contest was open to Virginia public high school students and one entry per school division was accepted.<strong> </strong>
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<strong>About the Virginia School Boards Association
</strong>The Virginia School Boards Association, a voluntary, nonpartisan organization of Virginia school boards, promotes excellence in public education through advocacy, training and services. The Association offers conferences, information, training, and counseling designed to meet the needs of the Commonwealth’s educational leaders.

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