For Release: March 26, 2008
Contact: J. Tucker Martin or David Clementson
Email: tucker.martin@oag.state.va.us or dclementson@oag.state.va.us
Phone: 804-786-2071
McDonnell Announces Finalists in Virginia Youth Internet Safety Contest
Student-Teams from Sussex, Staunton, Virginia Beach
Public Can Watch Ads, Vote: http://www.projectsafetynetva.com
Voting Ends May 1; Winner Announced May 13th
Richmond - Attorney General Bob McDonnell today announced the three student-team finalists in the Virginia Youth Internet Safety Contest.
The announcement was made at a press conference in the auditorium of the Office of the Attorney General in Richmond.
The finalists were selected from more than 200 submissions from 85 schools across the Commonwealth.
With today’s announcement, statewide voting has begun.
Citizens can vote for the winning ad by visiting www.projectsafetynetva.com. Voting will conclude May 1, with the winning team announced May 13.
The Statewide Finalists are:
Sussex Central Middle School, Sussex
Students:
Autumn Woodard
Abi Dodson
Connor Ricard
Faculty Sponsor: Lauren Elliot
Principal: Ms. Nancy Coner
Entry Name: “Public Announcement: Internet Safety”
Tallwood High School, Virginia Beach
Students:
Kyle Windley
Megan Gregg
Rayne Clinton
Faculty Sponsor: Leslie Allman
Principal: Jobynia Caldwell
Entry Name: “Cyber Nightmares”
Robert E. Lee High School, Staunton
Students:
Kyle Head
Jonathan Fisher
Jeremiah Eckard
Faculty Sponsor: Paul Kricorian
Principal: J. Clay Chandler
Entry Name: “Abduction”
“We received an overwhelming response for this contest,” McDonnell said. “The submissions demonstrated the creativity, ingenuity and talent of Virginia students. I want to specifically thank Microsoft, NewsCorp, AOL, Erickson Barnett and the Virginia Department of Education for partnering with us in this effort.”
McDonnell continued, “It is our hope that through participation in this contest Virginia students have reflected on the issue of online safety, and learned the importance of being smart and safe online. I encourage all Virginians to visit www.projectsafetynetva.com, watch the top three ads, and cast their votes. I look forward to announcing the winner on May 13, and seeing that ad air statewide. I know this contest will make a positive difference in our ongoing effort to encourage Virginia students to be safe when they go online.”
The winning team will have their ad aired on Virginia television this year, receive Microsoft X-Box 360s, get a private screening of a new Fox movie with 70 of their friends, and receive a basket of Fox DVDs. The Second place team members will receive Microsoft X-Box 360s and a basket of Fox DVD’s. Third place team members will receive a basket of Fox DVDs.
The Youth Internet Safety Contest was announced last September. The submission deadline for the contest was February 1. Entries were narrowed down by the Attorney General’s Office, and the finalists were selected by the Attorney General’s Youth Internet Safety Advisory Committee. Posters advertising the contest were placed in schools throughout Virginia in conjunction with the Virginia Department of Education, and print ads telling parents and children about the contest appeared in Virginia publications.
The contest is part of the Attorney General’s “Project SafetyNet VA” public awareness campaign about Internet safety. Resulting from the Attorney General’s Youth Internet Safety Task Force, which met over the course of 2006, it is a joint effort, led by the Attorney General, to educate and raise awareness among Virginia's children and parents about the dangers of the Internet through innovative initiatives. The Attorney General's Youth Internet Safety Advisory Committee meets regularly to implement these educational initiatives and is comprised of leaders representing education, law enforcement, parents, faith-based organizations and the technology industry.
