Governor Brown asks Oregon students to design PSAs on how to safely celebrate the holidays
Cora McClain | Editor-In-Chief
While the weather outside is frightful, the rise in Oregon COVID-19 cases is far less delightful. The easiest way to spread COVID is through large gatherings, even if those gatherings are with friends and family. The fact of the matter is, traditional ways of celebrating the holidays are less safe for everyone involved.
The Oregon Health Authority has said that people in their 20s continue to be the most likely to test positive for COVID. To raise awareness, Governor Kate Brown launched the statewide COIVD-19 #SafeHolidaysOR Public Service Announcement video contest. The contest entails any and all Oregon students to answer the question “How Do You Plan to Celebrate the Holidays Safely?” in a 30 seconds or less.
Whether a student attends a school located in Oregon or lives in Oregon while attending school out of state, any K-12 and college student is eligible to enter. Governor Brown will choose the winners of the contest, share the videos across her social media platforms and invite the winners to a video chat with her.
The deadline for these videos is Dec. 18. There’s only a couple of days left to enter; so, if you are interested, get your video in soon.
A student can enter by submitting a PSA in video format through their form. If there are any issues submitting your video, email your submission directly to Sarah Dean at Sarah.Dean@Oregon.gov along with your name, city, school, and PSA title.
Rules:
PSA Videos must:
- Answer the question: “How Do You Plan to Celebrate the Holidays Safely?”
- Be 30 seconds or less.
- Observe proper physical distancing and other public health recommendations.
- Be student created. An adult may assist with the video editing and filming, but the content must be student created.
PSA Videos must NOT:
- Use music that is copyrighted. Royalty-free music websites such as freeplaymusic.com offer songs that can be used without violating copyright.
- Use images of any kind that are copyrighted. Royalty-free image websites such as pixabay.com provide images that can be used without violating copyright.
- Include violations of physical distancing or other COVID safety requirements.
- Contain non-factual information, content promoting hate or discrimination, or other offensive content.
- Include audio, images, or other footage of other people without their permission, and, if the video includes minors, without their parent/guardian’s permission.
PSAs that do not comply with contest rules will be disqualified.
By submitting, you consent to have your submission featured on Governor Brown’s social media accounts. If your video is selected, you and your parent/guardian, if applicable, may be required to sign permission form.
For more information and ideas to include in your videos, visit the official My Oregon News article on the contest.
Contact the author at howleditor@wou.edu
Some examples of the video PSA from The Western Howl staff below!
“My immediate family and I are doing all of our gift shopping online.”
– Allison Vanderzanden | Lifestyle Editor
“I’m going to be celebrating Christmas with my roommates by watching a ton of movies throughout the day.”
Sean Martinez | Copy Editor
“I’m staying safe this holiday season by staying home as much as I can.”
Rylie Horrall | Managing Editor
