Cast your ballot: Lockerby students shortlisted for Mining Video Competition

Cast Your Ballot http://www.oma.on.ca/en/contestpages/index.asp.

Two students from Lockerby Composite School have been shortlisted for the People’s Choice Award for the Ontario Mining Association “So You Think You Know Mining” Video Competition. Sean Israelson and Katrina Malinski were challenged to create a video on the benefits of mining to society.

“We are delighted to be among the best of the best in Ontario,” said Sean Israelson, who is graduating this year from the Specialist High Skills Major in Mining at Lockerby Composite School. “We now invite everyone in the community to vote for us so we have a chance to win the People’s Choice Award.”

The public can cast their ballot at http://www.oma.on.ca/en/contestpages/index.asp. Online voting closes at midnight on Monday, June 14, 2010. Anyone who casts an online vote will be automatically entered into a draw and could be the lucky recipient of a brand new iPod.

Sean Israelson and Katrina Malinski have a chance to win $2,500 and still be in the running for jury-awarded prizes as part of the provincial competition, including Best Overall Entry, Best Directing, Best Writing (Original Screenplay), Best Music (Original Score), Best Comedy, and Best Animated Video. In addition, the top winner’s school will receive $500 worth of video equipment in recognition of the student achievement.

Sean Israelson’s video is called “Mining in Our World”. Katrina Malinski’s video is “Mining Matters”. Both videos were selected based on originality, creativity, accuracy of information, effectiveness of message delivery and production quality. Video topics include economic growth, employment opportunities, beneficial end-uses of mining products, as well as technological and environmental innovation.

The winning video clips will be showcased at an awards ceremony in North Bay on June 15, 2010.  The winners, or representatives of the winning teams, will be invited to attend the awards ceremony.  As well, the judging panel will select a contestant, or team of contestants, who will be hired by the OMA to create a video of the awards ceremony.

A Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) is a ministry-approved specialized program designed to allow students to focus on knowledge and skills of particular importance in an economic sector of choice, while meeting the requirements for the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD).

Students are able to obtain certifications and / or training courses recognized by the sector as part of the SHSM requirements. Students who graduate with a SHSM designation on their diploma are better prepared for success in the sector of choice and in their postsecondary destination whether it is apprenticeship training, college or university programs, or directly into the workplace.

The Specialist High Skills Major falls under the Student Success initiative and is one of the learning options available to students to help meet the individual learning needs of each and every student. Schools are providing students with more opportunities to customize their high school experience and build on their strengths and interests through these programs.

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Media Contact:

Nicole Charette, Senior Advisor,
Corporate Communications and Strategic Planning,
Rainbow District School Board, 674-3171, ext. 7217.