Portland Area Youth Win Second Annual Student Video Contest for Clean Rivers

The River Starts Here announced the winners of the second annual Student Video Contest in 2021. The contest unleashed the creativity and highlighted the leadership of local youth in sharing how every person can help support clean rivers and streams.

On June 6, middle and high school students from throughout Washington, Multnomah and Clackamas counties submitted videos in one of two stormwater pollution prevention topics. Videos in the Clean Water Actions topic area share everyday actions people can take for clean water like minimizing stormwater pollution from automobiles, stopping climate impacts on salmon and waterways, and leaving no trace while enjoying the outdoors. The community storytelling topic area was new for 2021. These videos highlight the work of community organizations – including watershed councils, environmental justice organizations, and environmental organizations – working for clean rivers and streams.

Also new for 2021 is the Best BIPOC Filmmaker award. This prize category recognizes the crucial perspectives and contributions of our Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) students in creating a more equitable and sustainable future.

Winners:

• Winner of the Clean Water Action Award for Active Transportation: Mindful Maintenance by Pauline Petersen, Lakeridge High School
• Winner of the Clean Water Action Award for Climate Change: You, Doing Your Part by Maggie Sandberg, Summit Learning Charter School
• Winner of the Clean Water Action Award for Leave No Trace: Don’t Litter Be Better by Liliana Jacobsen, Homeschool
• Winner for Best BIPOC Filmmaker: Grounding Waters with K by K (Kingston) Bonneau, Harriet Tubman Middle School
• Winner of People’s Choice Award: Keep Our Rivers Clean by Shea Stephens, Grant High School

Members of the River Starts Here committee selected the winners. From June 17-23, students rallied friends and family to vote for them to win the People’s Choice Award for the most liked, commented, and shared video. Over 1,754 community members watched student videos, which were viewed over 1,553 times. Viewers submitted over 254 likes and added hundreds of comments. Commenters shared their enthusiasm for these creative videos.

Each winner will receive $500 and be individually recognized by government leaders. They are also helping protect our rivers and streams. Winning videos will support outreach to people across Washington, Multnomah, and Clackamas Counties about how we all have a role to play in protecting natural resources in our backyards, parks and local waterways.

Leaders at the River Starts Here are thankful for youth leadership.

“Students recognize that the choices we all make today have a real impact on the environment that we all rely on.

"The creativity and perspective is amazing. Kids are really thinking about the impact of our actions and what it will mean for them and others down the road.” – The River Starts Here partner, Christa Britton

The River Starts Here is a coalition of local governments working together to share how our everyday actions impact the health of local rivers and streams.