Constancia Malahias, a student at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, hopes the public will help her win a $25,000 college scholarship in the Bridgestone Americas Teens Drive Smart Video Contest.
The Waterford, Conn., native is one of 10 contestants whose videos have been selected in the national scholarship competition. The contest challenges 16-to 21-year old students to create short videos about safe driving and ways to make better decisions behind the wheel. Malahias’ video was chosen from 2,322 entries received by Bridgestone Americas.
A panel of judges selected the top 10 most compelling videos, which were chosen based on how well they encourage viewers to be more safety-conscious drivers and how effectively and creatively the message is communicated.
All 10 videos, including Malahias’, are now posted at TeensDriveSmart.com. The public can help determine the top three winners by voting online for their favorite video now through July 23. The three winners will receive college scholarships: first place receives $25,000; second place receives $15,000 and third place receives $10,000. All three will win trips to New York City, where the grand prize-winning video will be unveiled on Aug. 1.
In addition to the scholarship, the first place winner will have his or her video air on the MTV Jumbotron in Times Square in New York during the month of August. Each Teens Drive Smart winner will also have the chance to have his or her video used as a public service announcement (PSA) on television stations across the United States.
Malahias’ takes the viewpoint of a cell phone in her video, frustrated because her owner turned her off in the car. She says the idea originated from a few Super Bowl commercials that included people acting as inanimate objects.
“It’s important to realize that the phone’s feelings won’t be hurt if you ignore it when you’re driving,” says Malahias. “More importantly is that the person’s feelings won’t be hurt if you don’t respond to their text while you’re behind the wheel. I’m ecstatic to be selected as a finalist and share my message with everyone.”
“Teens across the nation showed us their true breadth of talent, and choosing the top 10 videos proved difficult for our judges’ panel,” said Angela Patterson, Manager, Teens Drive Smart Program, Bridgestone Americas. “Our hope is that through these impactful videos, teens will understand the importance of making smart decisions behind the wheel. And just maybe, it will help save a life.”
Please visit www.teensdrivesmart.com for more information.
About Bridgestone Americas, Inc.:
Nashville, Tenn.-based Bridgestone Americas, Inc. (BSAM) is the U.S. subsidiary of Bridgestone Corporation, the world’s largest tire and rubber company. BSAM and its subsidiaries develop, manufacture and market a wide range of Bridgestone, Firestone and associate brand tires to address the needs of a broad range of customers, including consumers, automotive and commercial vehicle original equipment manufacturers, and those in the agricultural, forestry and mining industries. The companies are also engaged in retreading operations throughout the Western Hemisphere and produce air springs, roofing materials, and industrial fibers and textiles. The BSAM family of companies also operates the world’s largest chain of automotive tire and service centers. Guided by its One Team, One Planet message, the company is dedicated to achieving a positive environmental impact in all of the communities it calls home.
