Vanguard students win contest with a PSA

Vanguard University students recently earned $1,000 and an expense-paid trip to attend National Geographic’s Explorer’s Symposium, school officials said.

The students, Cody Crawford, Josh Hamilton and Scott Houston, were named the 2009 Audience Award winners in National Geographic’s Preserve Our Planet public service announcement contest.

Their project, a stop-motion public service announcement titled “Together We Can Change Our World,” used natural and sustainable resources for its production.

Their video made its world premiere on the National Geographic Channel on Wednesday, Earth Day.

Their winning entry was ranked best by audiences after judges rated the nearly 100 entries on creativity, reflection of this year’s theme “Together We Can Make A Difference,” and visual and story strength.

To see the winning video, go to channel.nationalgeographic. com/channel/content/ preserve-our-planet/film-fest.

— Joseph Serna