Let me start by saying that this video contest is only open to students in Oklahoma, 13 years of age or older, enrolled in an Oklahoma middle school or high school (or the equivalent of) for the 2008-2009 school year. Their site says, “MyTakeOnHealth Oklahoma Challenge School Video Contest aims to teach Oklahoma students the importance of healthy living by challenging them to create healthy TV-type advertisements.  The video advertisements will help to increase awareness in Oklahoma of the link between the national obesity epidemic and high rates of chronic disease, both of which are often the result of poor lifestyle choices.  The ultimate goal of the school video contest is to further educate Oklahoma children on the need to live well, stay off drugs, and prevent chronic disease.

Video Format: The videos should be in television commercial format of 30 to 60 seconds in length.  Videos longer than 60 seconds will not be accepted. The target audience is all children or adults in Oklahoma who are at risk for chronic disease, drug use, or being overweight or obese (a clear majority of our population). The video can be staged as a short play, commercial, news broadcast, talk show, music video, animation, documentary, etc.

The contest runs through runs through December, with first- and second-place finishers decided each month. Prizes given out monthly include $3500 for first place, $1,500 and the school of the first place video receives $1,000. They’re also having weekly drawings, giving away prizes such as laptops, televisions, and iPods. Make sure you review the official rules and submit the necessary forms.

Personally, I think this is a nice idea, but next year, how about doing a contest about financial health? I mean, many kids know that a carrot has less calories than a Twinkie, but how many of them understand how to balance a budget, how to calculate APR, or how to figure a healthy debt-to-income ratio? I’m not knocking this contest, I just think more kids need to understand debt so they don’t end up in financial trouble as soon as they’re old enough to apply for a credit card. Okay, end of editorial, and good luck to all the students in Oklahoma!