The Illinois Campaign for Responsible Sex Education (ICRSE) honored Josh Golden and Sergey Turzhanskiy of Buffalo Grove High school for their 1st place entry in their "Real Teens. Reel Life." sexuality education video contest. Their award-winning video, entitled "Influence," premiered at a video awards ceremony on October 12 at the Chicago Cultural Center. View the first place video on YouTube. Coming in second in the video contest was "It's Your Life, It's Your Decision" by Desmond Richard, Derrell Bonner and Marlena Childress from Chicago Public Schools, and taking third place was "Responsible Teen Sex Movie" produced by Alexa Bowser and Zac Lilly from Huntley High School. View a compilation of the award winning videos on YouTube.
The campaign launched the video contest this year to encourage students to speak in their own voices about the realities of relationships, dating, and sexuality in the lives of Illinois youth. Entries came from rural, suburban, and urban areas between Moline and Chicago. Jonathan Stacks, ICRSE Campaign Manager recounted the inception of the contest: "A year ago, we were discussing how much of the debate for improved sex education was being conducted without the voices of the very people who are experiencing sex education - or the lack thereof. Look, if you want to know what kind of sex ed is being taught in your school - ask the students. Or better yet - have the students ask the students. This simple idea became the "Real Teens. Real Life." Video Contest." "We entered this project not knowing exactly what we were looking for," said awardee Josh Golden. "As the project progressed we began to notice certain patterns." "When sex loses its stigma and is discussed freely is when teens were best able to deal with it with a healthy attitude," added Sergey.
ICRSE will use the videos to raise awareness of the need for improved sex education in Illinois schools - offering a student's perspective to state legislators on the need for funding, local school administrators and board members on the need for standards, and community leaders on the need for community support and accountability. Copies of the video with accompanying discussion guide will be available in the next month. If you would like to receive a copy for use at a house party, community forum, or a meeting with your organization, please contact us. |
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