WHRO
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  October 9, 2008
Contact: Bobbie Fisher, Chief Communications Officer, 757.889.9107

WHRO SPONSORS ELECTION-RELATED VIDEO COMPETITION
FOR YOUNG CITIZENS

Norfolk:  WHRO’s Center for Regional Citizenship has launched a campaign to encourage more informed and active political participation, with a special focus on young citizens.

The Be There, Be Counted website (www.betherebecounted.org ) offers up-to-date election information and interactive tools, including an election map from National Public Radio and PBS’s The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer, a “Select-a-Candidate” quiz and a variety of educational resources for teachers.

The web based initiative is also supporting a video competition for young people aged 14 to 25.  Competitors are encouraged to create short videos to capture the political perspectives of their peers.  How do young people make their voices heard? Why should young people get involved? What issues are important? Why do Elections ’08 matter? What’s at stake? The competition is divided into two divisions: Junior Division (aged 14 – 18) and Senior Division (aged 18 – 25).  All young people in Hampton Roads are invited to participate – high school and college students, military personnel, and working civilians.

The deadline for submissions in Monday, October 20, 2008

Guidelines for submission can be found on the website at: http://www.betherebecounted.org/video.html .  The website also offers helpful tips for producing a successful video.  Winners will be announced by Friday, October 24 and winning videos will air on WHRO TV-15.