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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

News Release

HHS News U.S. Department of Health and Human Services  www.hhs.gov/news  
 
 
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, May 23, 2016
Contact: HHS Press Office
(202) 690-6343
 
 
 

HHS’ My Preparedness Story video contest winners announced

 

Top videos submitted by young people from Alaska, Arizona, Texas and Alabama

Young producers across the country let their cameras roll this spring to demonstrate how they protect the health of their families, friends, and communities during disasters and inspire other young people to do the same.

From a field of 94 eligible videos submitted in the first “My Preparedness Story: Staying Health and Resilient” video challenge, the top six videos are being recognized by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR).

The video judged the best overall entry was produced by Samantha Johnson, 23, of Anchorage, Alaska, who helped educate viewers about how emergency preparations differ in our nation’s least densely populated state. For submitting the best video for the challenge, she’ll earn$2,000 – coincidentally a dollar for each of the 2,000 miles between Alaska and the continental United States.

In the video that won second place, Roxanne Scott, 22, of Sierra Vista, Arizona artfully described steps each person can take to prepare for disasters of any size. She’ll draw a check for $1,000 for winning second.

Two videos tied for third place. In one of these videos, Zain Hashmat, 18, of Meridian, Mississippi, produced a comedy sketch to show that people can never be too prepared, or too waterlogged.

The other third-place video used stop-motion animation to show how young people volunteering in ASPR’s Medical Reserve Corps can help propel public health in their communities. This video was submitted by a team from Texas: Michael Truong, 18, and Hung Le, 18, both of Arlington; Michelle Alvarez, 18, ; Vivian Nguyen, 18, , and Kyle Vu, 18, all of Grand Prairie. Each video earned their producers $250 for their winning submissions.

Two videos also were selected for honorable mentions: My Preparedness Story: Staying Healthy and Resilient FL Keys Jr. Medical Reserve Corps by Manuel Calabrese, 18; Claudia Cabrera, 15; Jennifer Lopez, 16; Nicole Lera, 16; Claudia Bacallao, 18; and Betsy Estevez, 16, all of Marathon, Florida; and My Preparedness Story: Keep Warm Bags for the Homeless by Abby Wist, 18, of Centennial, Colorado.

“Young people are a source of support and resilience during a disaster. The contest is a way to highlight that the entire community needs to be involved. This competition gave young people an opportunity to display the efforts they’re making to help their families and communities be better prepared for an emergency,” said Dr. Nicole Lurie, HHS’ assistant secretary for preparedness and response. “The winners are to be congratulated not just for the quality videos they produced but also for the active role they are taking in their communities.”

 

The “My Preparedness Story: Staying Healthy and Resilient” video challenge was open to young people between the ages of 14 and 23. It is intended to highlight the important role the nation’s youth play in contributing to resilience and preparedness of our communities. 

Thousands of young people across the country help their families, friends and communities prepare for disasters and emergencies. For example, they volunteer in health centers or with local Medical Reserve Corps units, stay current on first aid skills, develop home emergency plans, prepare emergency kits, and educate their families and friends about actions they can take to be healthy even when disaster strikes. This competition provided an opportunity for them to showcase their efforts.

ASPR leads HHS in preparing the nation to respond to and recover from adverse health effects of emergencies, supporting communities’ ability to withstand adversity, strengthening health and response systems, and enhancing national health security. HHS is the principal federal agency for protecting the health of all Americans and providing essential human services, especially for those who are least able to help themselves.

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Winning Videos

Sam Johnson:  Preparedness in Alaska
Roxanne Scott:  Disasters come in all shapes and sizes
Zain Hamshmat:  The Perfect Emergency Kit and Plan
Michae Truong:  MRC in Your Community!
Florida Keys Jr. MRC:  Preventing the Spread of Zika
Abby Wist:  Warm Bags forthe Homeless

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  • This page last reviewed: August 06, 2020