High school students are encouraged to make 30-second television advertisements about the risks of underage drinking and texting while driving as part of the Courageous Persuaders competition. The videos are reviewed and judged in middle school classrooms, which aid in the selection of scholarship winners.
Participants learn how to make their own film, get recognized at an awards ceremony, and, most importantly, are helping to raise awareness and change attitudes about the dangers that young adults face.
The Detroit Auto Dealers Association (DADA) and Rod Alberts, its Executive Director, formally embraced Courageous Persuaders in 2007 and extended it to a countrywide program.
Thank you to the late Judge Jim Martone and John Barcyk for coming up with the concept and offering DADA the opportunity to explore it further. Michigan's Secretary of State (SOS) announced their cooperation with Courageous Persuaders in 2008.
Top entries in the unique Courageous Persuaders distracted driving campaign for adolescents have earned airtime in SOS offices around Michigan for the past ten years.
High school kids from all across the country are welcome to participate; the focus is on the concept and message rather than the quality of the production. Students are encouraged to make use of any video equipment they have.
Teachers and principals, school audio/video departments, parents, and community leaders are encouraged to donate equipment and lend local support by promoting the program as a one-of-a-kind scholarship competition that is both enjoyable to participate in and has a significant impact on a serious issue.
The main goal is to promote awareness and alter attitudes among high school students about the consequences of underage drinking. A secondary goal is to introduce middle school kids to positive role models in the form of high school students who are speaking out against this terrible issue.
Middle school pupils were given questionnaires to assess the persuasiveness of ads created by high school students. The winners are determined by the results of these questionnaires.
USA Citizen or permanent resident
High school students are encouraged to make 30-second television advertisements about the risks of underage drinking and texting while driving as part of the Courageous Persuaders competition. The videos are reviewed and judged in middle school classrooms, which aid in the selection of scholarship winners.
Participants learn how to make their own film, get recognized at an awards ceremony, and, most importantly, are helping to raise awareness and change attitudes about the dangers that young adults face.