2018 Winners.
The following are our regional and specialty category winners for 2018. Honorable Mentions for each category may be added, contingent upon receiving release forms.
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2018 Regional High School Winners – Suicide Prevention
2018 Regional High School Winners – Mental Health Matters
2018 Through the Lens of Culture- Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Matters
2018 Youth and Young Adults – Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Matters
2018 SanaMente Winners
2018 Animated Short Winners
2018 Middle School Recognitions
2018 High School Statewide Winners
High School – Suicide Prevention
1st Place: “Dear Friend”
Orange County
Foothill High School
Filmakers: Rya Partible, Isaac Silva, & Amelie Phua
Advisor: Chris Price
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2nd Place: “Silence”
Butte County
Pleasant Valley High School
Filmmakers: Dylan Miner & Chase Sisneroz
Advisor: Michael Peck
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3rd Place: “Don’t Be Afraid to Ask”
Orange County
Canyon High School
Filmmakers: Isaac Resurreccion, Matthew Bachor & Lance Hahn
Advisor: Alex Graham
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High School – Mental Health Matters
1st Place: “Scribbled”
Riverside County
Encore High School
Filmmakers: Sophia, Perrin, Isaiah, Zoey & Riley
Advisor: Jared Nelson
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2nd Place: “Hear the Music”
Orange County
Canyon High School
Filmmaker: Victoria Neller
Advisor: Alex Graham
View
3rd Place: “I Am Not Ashamed”
Butte County
Pleasant Valley High School
Filmmakers: Connor Ricketts & Eli Martin
Advisor: Michael Peck
View
2018 Regional High School Winners – Suicide Prevention
Region 1
San Diego, Orange, and Imperial County
*First Place: “Dear Friend” (Advancing to statewide round of judging)
Orange County
Foothill High School
Filmakers: Rya Partible, Isaac Silva, & Amelie Phua
Advisor: Chris Price
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*Second Place: “Don’t Be Afraid to Ask” (Directing Change Team Pick – Advancing to statewide round of judging)
Orange County
Canyon High School
Filmmakers: Isaac Resurreccion, Matthew Bachor & Lance Hahn
Advisor: Alex Graham
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Third Place: “I Am”
Orange County
Canyon High School
Filmmaker: Megan Beehler
Advisor: Alex Graham
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Honorable Mention
“Dancing Again”
Orange County
Canyon High School
Filmmakers: Audrey Berry & Amanda Quach
Advisor: Alex Graham
View
Region 2
Riverside and San Bernardino County
*First Place: “Distant Memories” (Advancing to statewide round of judging)Riverside County
Murrieta Valley High School
Filmmakers: Jacob Thiel, Kyle Reid & Luke Van Ryzin
Advisor: Ella Harrison
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Second Place: “Know Your Worth”
Riverside County
Murrieta Valley High School
Filmmaker: Mariel Sto. Domingo
Advisor: Ella Harrison
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Third Place: “Speak Up”
San Bernardino County
Apple Valley High School
Filmmaker: Ruby Cuilty, Erika Martinez, Audrey Ledford & Daytona Blalock
Advisor: Gretchen Peratt
View
Honorable Mention
Oceans
Riverside County
Vista Murrieta High School
Filmmaker: Ryann Richards
Advisor: Jason Seipp
View
There is Always a Place to Help
Riverside County
Temecula Valley High School
Filmmakers: Simone Williams, Dante Ciotti, Justin Hiestand & Patrick McIntyre
Advisor: Kim Randall
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Don’t Hide Your Feelings
San Bernardino County
Apple Valley High School
Filmmakesr: Raeanne Prescott & Wesley Vaugn
Advisor: Gretchen Peratt
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Region 3
Los Angeles County
*First Place: “There is Hope” (Advancing to statewide round of judging)
Tri-City (Los Angeles County)
Claremont High School
Filmmakers: Abby Gransden, Colin Kirkpatrick, Isaac Andrade, Joseph Matos & Eli Kupetz
Advisor: Sara Hills
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Second Place: “Trapped”
Los Angeles County
William Pete Knight High School
Filmmakers: Laura Celis, Rosie Galvez, Annette Baeza & Brianna Espino
Advisor: Fabian Montagut
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Third Place: “Uncertain Hope”
Los Angeles County
John F. Kennedy High School
Filmmakers: Ricardo Vazquez & Jessica Torres
Advisor: Aaron Lemos
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Honorable Mention
Because of Her
Los Angeles County
John F. Kennedy High School
Filmmakers: Lindsey Melendez & Rebeca Arvizu
Advisor: Aaron Lemos
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Region 4
Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, San Benito, Santa Clara, Alameda, Contra Costa, Santa Cruz, San Mateo, San Francisco, Kern, Kings, Tulare, Inyo, Mono, Fresno, Madera, Mariposa, Merced
*First Place: “Dear Diary” (Advancing to statewide round of judging)
Alameda County
Irvington High School
Filmmakers: Ashka Patel, Aman Grewel, & Natalie See
Advisor: Shiloh Burton
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Second Place: “Not a Joke”
Alameda County
Irvington High School
Filmmakers: Sabrina Ma
Advisor: Shiloh Burton
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*Third Place: “This is Beyond Sadness” (Directing Change Team Pick- Advancing to Statewide Round of Judging)
Tulare County
University Preparatory High School
Filmmaker: Alexandra Carrillo
Advisor: Helen Millorn-Feller
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Honorable Mentions
To Be Seen
Fresno County
Buchanan High School
Filmmakers: Delany Davis & Ulysses Larios
Advisor: Mr. Martinez
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A New Beginning
Alameda County
Irvington High School
Filmmaker: Alisha Chawla
Advisor: Shiloh Burton
View
Region 5
Marin, Solano, Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino, Lake, Tuolumne, Stanislaus, San Joaquin, Sacramento, Calaveras, Amador, Alpine, El Dorado, Placer, Nevada, Sierra, Yuba, Sutter, Yolo, Colusa, Butte, Glenn, Plumas, Lassen, Modoc, Shasta, Tehama, Trinity, Siskiyou, Humboldt, Del Norte.
*First Place: “Silence” (Advancing to statewide round of judging)
Butte County
Pleasant Valley High School
Filmmakers: Dylan Miner & Chase Sisneroz
Advisor: Michael Peck
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Second Place: “Listen”
Solano County
Vanden High School
Filmmakers: Simone Darbonne & Danica Caasi
Advisor: Brent Manuel
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Third Place: “Never Too Late”
Humboldt County
Fortuna High School
Filmmaker: Ricky Hayden
Advisor: Errin Odell
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Honorable Mentions
The Warning Signs
Placer County
Whitney High School
Filmmakers: Sarah Nevins & Mikayla Barkve
Advisor: Ben Barnholdt
View
The Dream
Butte County
Pleasant Valley High School
Filmmakers: Jordan O’Neal & Ethan Bechtold
Advisor: Michael Peck
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Let Them Know
Butte County
Pleasant Valley High School
Filmmakers: Kevin Sanford & Jasiel Celis
Advisor: Michael Peck
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The Signs
Placer County
Whitney High School
Filmmakers: Isabella Cortez & Amanda Tolentino
Advisor: Ben Barnholdt
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A Friend in Need
Stanislaus County
Riverbank High School
Filmmakers: Victor Verdin, Alexis Barajas & Jose Iares
Advisor: Jon Gianelli
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It’s Not Worth It
Nevada County
Bear River High School
Filmmakers: Andrew Johnston, Colby Greig, Gage Young, Giulia Seif-Ali, Kody Johnson, Zoe Brothers, and Taylor Hamilton
Advisor: Christina Levinson
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Rest Assured
San Joaquin County
Kimball High School
Filmmakers: Marissa Miller, Evangelina Ferriera, and Angelina Rebelez
Advisor: Melissa Burkert
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2018 Regional High School Winners – Mental Health Matters
Region 1
San Diego, Orange, and Imperial County
*First Place: “First Steps” (Advancing to statewide round of judging)
Orange County
Canyon High School
Filmmakers: Creston Brown, Brandon Khong, Hunter Lopp, Delaney Yourstone, Neemav Wangyal & Logan Campos
Advisor: Alex Graham
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Second Place: “I Am”
Orange County
Canyon High School
Filmmakers: Colette Grob, Nick Sherman, Max Furtek & Luke Fisher
Advisor: Alex Graham
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Third Place: “Behind the Pictures”
Orange County
Katella High School
Filmmaker: Marionette Umali
Advisor: John Bautista
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Honorable Mentions
* Esperanza en Nuestro Corazon (Directing Change Team Pick- Advancing to Statewide Round of Judging)
San Diego County
Rancho Minerva Middle School
Filmmakers: Paola Morales, Sinai Sanchez & Ana Perez
Advisor: Beth Duncan
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* Hear the Music (Directing Change Team Pick- Advancing to Statewide Round of Judging)
Orange County
Cayon High School
Filmmaker: Victoria Neller
Advisor: Alex Graham
View
#StatusOfMind
Orange County
Canyon High School
Filmmaker: Camille Celifie
Advisor: Alex Graham
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Region 2
Riverside and San Bernardino County
*First Place: “Scribbled” (Advancing to statewide round of judging)
Riverside County
Encore High School
Filmmakers: Sophia, Perrin, Isaiah, Zoey & Riley
Advisor: Jared Nelson
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Second Place: “A Helping Hand”
San Bernardino County
Upland High School
Filmmakers: Diamond Bishop & Vincent Landeros
Advisor:James Miura
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Third Place: “Behind the Mask”
Riverside County
Temecula Valley High School
Filmmaker: David Tinaz
Advisor:Kim Randall
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Honorable Mentions
Brave Face
Riverside County
Murrieta Valley High School
Filmmakers: Nick Delzompo & Jack Kroesche
Advisor: Ella Harrison
View
Sleeveless
San Bernardino County
Ruben S. Ayala High School
Filmmakers: Zheng Dong, Trinity Tat, Alycia Akabori, Daren Lorenzo & Bridget Maellynn
Advisor: Christy Koenig
View
Region 3
Los Angeles
*First Place: “Behind the Smile” (Advancing to statewide round of judging)
Los Angeles County
Santee Education Complex
Filmmakers: Adrian Serrano, Jocelyn Aldama, Osvaldo Gutierrez, Jesus Torres, Marvin Galicia, Jordy Aleman, Johnny Tagle & Cesar Mercado
Advisor: Marvin Alvarado
View
Second Place: “A Fighting Chance”
Tri-City (Los Angeles County)
School of Arts & Enterprise
Filmmakers: Jupiter Peraza, Bahia Hussein, Logan Gilkey, Christie DiMarco & Lilly Pugno
Advisor: Mindy Pomper Johnson
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Third Place: “Reach Out”
Los Angeles County
Northview High School
Filmmaker: Miguel Valadez
Advisor: Amy Woods
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Honorable Mentions
I’m Fine
Tri-City (Los Angeles County)
Claremont High School
Filmmakers: Gaige Chyrchel, Johnny Hernandez, Dirk Morken, Andrew Patterson, and Talina Shariatzadeh
Advisor: Sara Hills
View
Looking to Be Alright!
Los Angeles County
View Park Continuation High School
Filmmakers: Christopher Pena, Meelah Mucker, Erica Gutierrez, and Fredy Mayen
Advisor: Celeste Brown
View
Region 4
Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, San Benito, Santa Clara, Alameda, Contra Costa, Santa Cruz, San Mateo, San Francisco, Kern, Kings, Tulare, Inyo, Mono, Fresno, Madera, Mariposa, Merced
*First Place: “The Broken Arm” (Advancing to statewide round of judging)
Alameda County
Irvington High School
Filmmaker: Saaketh Gunukula
Advisor: Shiloh Burton
View
Second Place: “Blood Rush”
Alameda County
Mission San Jose High School
Filmmaker: Sharanya Kumar
Advisor: Ivy Lee
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Third Place: “Break Free”
Santa Clara County
Homestead High School
Filmmakers: Kevin Shum, Joseph Cho, Alexander Luong, Vikram Shirsat, & Varun Kiragi
Advisor: Carrie Nakamura
View
Honorable Mention
What Can You Do
Santa Clara County
Lynbrook High School
Filmmaker: Neelam Sharma
Advisor: Evyenia Ene
View
The Ribbon of Change
Alameda County
Irvington High School
Filmmaker: Michael Zhu
Advisor: Shiloh Burton
View
Depression and Obsession
Tulare County
Monache High School
Filmmaker: Litzy Robles
Advisor: Robert Styles
View
Region 5
Marin, Solano, Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino, Lake, Tuolumne, Stanislaus, San Joaquin, Sacramento, Calaveras, Amador, Alpine, El Dorado, Placer, Nevada, Sierra, Yuba, Sutter, Yolo, Colusa, Butte, Glenn, Plumas, Lassen, Modoc, Shasta, Tehama, Trinity, Siskiyou, Humboldt, Del Norte
*First Place: “I Am Not Ashamed” (Advancing to statewide round of judging)
Butte County
Pleasant Valley High School
Filmmakers: Connor Ricketts & Eli Martin
Advisor: Michael Peck
View
Second Place: “This Is For You”
Solano County
Vanden High School
Filmmakers: Danica Caasi & Simonne Darbonne
Advisor: Brent Manuel
View
Third Place: “The Confidence” (tied)
Butte County
Pleasant Valley High School
Filmmakers: Quinn Farley & Brandon Clark
Advisor: Michael Peck
View
* Third Place: “A Sister’s Bond” (tied) – (Directing Change Team Pick- Advancing to Statewide Round of Judging)
Placer County
Whitney High School
Filmmakers: Meghan Townsley & Emily Manzer
Advisor: Ben Barnholdt
View
Honorable Mentions
Reality
Placer County
Whitney High School
Filmmakers: Mikayla Ayala & Amanda Mendoza
Advisor: Ben Barnholdt
View
Breaking the Boulder
Placer County
Whitney High School
Filmmakers: Mia Anderson & Lena Tang
Advisor: Ben Barnholdt
View
A Helping Hand
Yolo County
Da Vinci Charter Academy
Filmmakers: Alex Quesada, Dru Chandler, Andrew Eweis-LaBolle, and Ellie McCrory
Advisor: Brittany Rosenberg
View
Honorable Mention: Reaching Out
Tehama County
Salisbury High NAMI Club
Filmmakers: Larissa Riddle, Ervin Martin, Ariel Elliott, and Kayla Mort
Advisor: Stormy King
View
2018 Through the Lens of Culture – Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Matters
First Place
“A Mormon Perspective” (Recognized at Award Ceremony)
Contra Costa County
San Ramon Valley High School
Filmmaker: Tia Stout
Advisor: Kirsten Drake
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“Time to Speak Up” (Recognized at Award Ceremony)
Fresno County
Clovis East High School
Filmmakers: Caitlin Luster, Meghan White & June Vang
Advisor: Derrick “The Star” Davis
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Second Place
“End the Silence”
Riverside County
Murrieta Valley High School
Filmmakers: Ally Muzic & Connor Downing
Advisor: Ella Harrison
View
“Proud to Be Me”
Orange County
Canyon High School
Filmmakers: Hallie Conrad
Advisor: Alex Graham
View
Third Place
“Good Medicine”
Fresno County
FAIHP
Filmmakers: Paul A., Luis B., Ben C.
Advisor: Eva Minaskeian
View
“Taking Flight”
Sacramento County
Franklin High School
Filmmaker: Michelle Quan
Advisor: Dawn Williams
View
Honorable Mentions
What Will the People Think?
Orange County
Canyon High School
Filmmaker: Mana Javadi
Advisor: Alex Graham
View
Talk About More
Orange County
Canyon High School
Filmmaker: Tiffany Le
Advisor: Alex Graham
View
Where Do I Belong
San Diego County
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc
Filmmaker: Breahna Gillespie
Advisor: Dr. Donna L. Cook
View
2018 Youth and Young Adult – Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Matters
Suicide Prevention
First Place: “Ob(li)vious” (Recognized at Award Ceremony)
Riverside County
Riverside Community College
Filmmakers: Yasmine Torres & Jazmine Maldonado
Advisor: Scott Hernandez
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Second Place: “Signs”
Humboldt County
Humboldt County TAY Collaborative (HCTAYC)
Filmmakers: Draven Keller
Advisor: Calla Peltier-Olson
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Third Place: “This Could’ve Been Me”
Riverside County
Cup of Happy East
Filmmakers: Julio Murillo
Advisor: Cheryl Hunter
View
Honorable Mention
Better Angels
Los Angeles County
Active Minds Cal State Fullerton
Filmmakers: Brittany Johnston, Rachel Rataczak, Zaxaira Adame, Karla Mirafuentes & Randy Ear
Advisor: Jessica Leon
View
Mental Health Matters
First Place: “Together We Conquer” (Recognized at Award Ceremony)
Butte County
Butte Community College
Filmmakers: Nathan Hitchman & Melissa Roetto
Advisor: Michael Peck
View
Second Place: “Stronger Together”
Los Angeles County
UCLA CAPS
Filmmaker: Peter Guan
Advisor: Dr. Saeromi Kim
View
Third Place: “Be a Friend”
Los Angeles County
Active Minds at Santa Monica College
Filmmaker: Megan Larson
Advisor: Rebecca Fein
View
Honorable Mention
Rewind
Los Angeles County
Active Minds at CSULB
Filmmakers: Adriana Hernandez, David Nguyen, Dhia Xiong, Emerald Lee, Michelle Kim & Prescila Tran
Advisor: Nancy Meyer-Adams
View
2018 SanaMente Winners
*First Place: “Nunca Solo” (Recognized at Award Ceremony)
Butte County
Pleasant Valley High School
Filmmakers: Preston Lopez & Nick Weiss
Advisor: Michael Peck
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Second Place: “Reflexiones”
Riverside County
Boys & Girls Club of San Gorgonio Pass
Filmmakers: Tyrone Allen & Jesse Garcia
Advisor: Shane Arch
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Third Place: “Atrapado”
Riverside County
Martin Luther King Jr High School
Filmmakers: Stephen Corley, Connor Nickson, Miguel Vargas & Josh Jordan
Advisor: Jamal Garren
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Fourth Place: “SanaMente Tattoo”
Riverside County
Desert Mirage High School
Filmmakers: Jose Chavez, Jose Barragan, Kevin Aguilar, Moises Ramos, Moyses Cisneros, and Abelino Bonito
Advisor: Derek Ellingson
View
Fifth Place: “Sano y Salvo”
Solano County
Vanden High School
Filmmakers: Amaris Medina & LaRue Lloyd
Advisor: Brent Manuel
View
2018 Animated Short Winners
First Place: “Behind the Mask” (Recognized at Award Ceremony)
Sacramento County
Franklin High School
Filmmaker: Alea Cayabyab
Advisor: Brad Clark
View
Second Place: “Reach Out” (Recognized at Award Ceremony)
Alameda County
Foothill High School
Filmmaker: Claire McNerney
Advisor: Heather Richey
View
Third Place: “Red Flags” (Recognized at Award Ceremony)
Sacramento County
Franklin High School
Filmmaker: Christy Huang
Advisor: Brad Clark
View
Fourth Place: “It Only Takes One” (Recognized at Award Ceremony)
Riverside County
Valley View High School
Filmmakers: Max Torres, Cameron Gamboa & Alex Duran
Advisor: Chris Lorenz
View
Fifth Place: “Reach Out” (Recognized at Award Ceremony)
Sacramento County
Franklin High School
Filmmaker: Erika Rylander
Advisor: Brad Clark
View
Honorable Mentions
Continue
San Diego County
Serra High School
Filmmaker: Raymond Ngo
Advisor: Dr. Elva Mora
View
Red ‘n Blue
San Diego County
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority
Filmmaker: Breahna Gillespie
Advisor: Dr. Donna L. Cook
View
It Will Start with Hello
Humboldt County
Humboldt County TAY Collaboration
Filmmaker: Izzie Davalos-Gomez
Advisor: Dr. Donna L. Cook
View
Busy Bee
Riverside County
Eleanor Roosevelt High School
Filmmakers: Major, Bailey, Jacob & Mitzi
Advisor: Jacob Fuller
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2018 Middle School Recognitions
This year we opened up submissions to students in grades 7 and 8. Originally these youth were grouped together with high school students grades 9 through 12. After review of all submissions by the Directing Change Team and the regional and statewide judging periods, the Directing Change Team reviewed all submissions from students in middle school again and completed a separate round of judging. We would like to recognize the following outstanding film submissions from our younger (grades 7 and 8) participants. (Sorry, no cash prizes, just bragging rights!)
First Place: Esperanza en Nuestro Corazon
San Diego County
Rancho Minerva Middle School
Filmmakers: Paola Morales, Sinai Sanchez & Ana Perez
Advisor: Beth Duncan
Description: This film features a girl sharing her story of recovering from mental illness and hope for others.
View
Second Place: La Verdad No es Color de Rosa
Orange County
CE Utt Middle School
Filmmakers: Ivana Oregon & Galilea Oregon
Advisor: Kiara Moreno
Description from Filmmaker: The film is spoken in Spanish and focuses on the struggles of mental health not being brought to light in the hispanic culture. Being raised in a hispanic household I have seen these issues with my own eyes. However, mental health and suicide prevention are very intense and important topics that all cultures should be aware of. With this film, I wish to bring to light the issues in hispanic culture and raise awareness.
Language: Spanish
View
Third Place: La Ayuda Te Hace Mas Fuerte
Sacramento County
Samuel Jackman Middle School
Filmmakers: Ashley Dominguez, Cynthia Dominguez, & Lourdes Dominguez
Advisor: Laura Harmon
Description from Filmmaker: Throughout the time spent making the film, I realized that it is important to reach out for help because although we think that we can get through our problems alone, it can take longer than we think. My film consists of the feelings people have when they have mental illnesses, and a few changes they can make to their lifestyle to feel better than before.
Language: Spanish
View
Fourth Place: Signs
Los Angeles County
Roy Romer Middle School
Filmmakers: Victoria Kurtz, Robert Sahakyan, Frank Murillo, Leo Cardentti, Luis Chavez, Jair Andrade, & Priscilla Jackson
Advisor: Karen Weiss
Description from Filmmaker: This educational film talks about warning signs and the risk factor of having lost someone and how to offer support.
View
Fifth Place: Think Again
Los Angeles County
Roy Romer Middle School
Filmmakers: Kimberly Lopez, Estrella Joya, Camila Galves, Isaiah Martin, Yesenia Mejia, & Santiago Flores
Advisor: Karen Weiss
Description from Filmmaker: In this film a young girl talks about her struggles and thoughts of suicide and encourages others to get help or talk to a trusted adult if they are going through someone similar.
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Honorable Mentions
Tyron’s Power
San Diego County
Museum School
Filmmakers: Marcello A, Sean Maccue, Van J, Jack S, & Jeshua D
Advisor: Karla Duarte
Description from Filmmaker: Tyron feels that there is a monster inside of him, but after facing him face-to-face he realizes he has the choice to stand-up for himself and claim his power…
View
It Can Be Anyone
Fresno County
Quail Lake Environmental Charter School
Filmmakers: Zachary Patton, Israel Gomez, Hunter Pittman, & Tyler Coles
Advisor: Shane Mason
Description: This film explores the topic of depression by educating about symptoms and demonstrating boys reaching out and helping their friend get support.
View
Help Me
Marin County
Congregation Rodef Sholom
Filmmakers: Ben Sachs Amrami, Max Unkrich, Leo Grossman, Owen Pontoriero, Rose Malen, Sam Gibson, Ari Gold, & Sarah Gershik
Advisor: Rachel Altfeld
Description: In this film we show Ben who is battling with Depression and is introduced to a Jewish group called Midrasha where he is finally able to feel a part of a group.
Language: English
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The Hidden World of Depression
Contra Costa County
William B. Bristow Middle School
Filmmakers: Maxwell Simens, Titus L Lest, & Giovanni
Advisor: Heather Jeffrey
Description: This film shares information about depression and what signs to look for.
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Love Always, Hope
Fresno County
Quail Lake Environmental Charter School
Filmmakers: MaryGrace Martin, Jillian Hoover, Justine Popa, Miranda Obergon, & Chase Jones
Advisor: Shane Mason
Description from Filmmaker: Our film is about a girl suffering with depression, whose friend takes the time to save her life and fill her life with joy.
View
