BUFFALO, N.Y. – WNED’s LiveWell initiative is launching “Healthy Voices, Healthy Choices,” a youth video contest.  LiveWell is a unique community outreach initiative of that addresses healthy living and obesity in Buffalo.  The youth video contest, open to youth ages 14 to 19, gives individuals a chance to tell their stories about the challenges, experiences and victories of living a healthy lifestyle.

“This project is similar to other WNED youth-based video efforts we have completed,” says John Craig, Ph.D., vice president for education/outreach.  “Our City Buffalo, produced in 2008, allowed young people to tell a story about a particular aspect of Buffalo or of personal interest.”

While the opportunity for professional experience and exposure is invaluable, the time commitment is not extensive. There will be one day-long seminar called “Keeping It Real: The LiveWell Video Seminar.”  Afterwards, in their own time, student will have two to three weeks to gather a total of 30 minutes of video footage on their topics. The student will deliver the footage to WNED and return for a brief on-camera interview. A final evening event will celebrate the students’ achievements and showcase their videos to family, friends and the community.

“The videos produced for LiveWell on health topics will be used as web, television and community engagement tools to tell personal stories,” Craig continued. “We hope they will be impactful to those who view them.”

Student applications to “Healthy Voices, Healthy Choices” should be submitted by Wednesday, July 13. Students will be notified by Wednesday, July 15 if their submission was selected. For printable applications and more information, visit thinkbright.org/livewell.

Through WNED-TV, ThinkBright and Well TV, Classical 94.5/WNED-FM and WNED-AM 970 The Information Station, the member-supported WNED Buffalo/Toronto provides high quality programming and services that enlighten, inspire, entertain and educate Western New York and Southern Ontario communities. Additional information about WNED can be found at wned.org.