The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Kelly Carrington Staff Writer The youth of Flin Flon and Creighton put their voices to the test to prevent suicide. The local Suicide Prevention Committee held their second video contest, Raise Your Voice, for the youth of the area. The contest had the youth, in small groups or classrooms, express positive and healthy choices to deal with the issues they face. Last Tuesday night, March 20, the committee held an Expressions night with just over 100 people on hand at the R.H. Channing Auditorium. The committee showcased the winning videos as well as artwork students created to promote healthy choices and creative outlets _ such as photography, paintings and hoop dancing. 'We wanted the kids to show how they express themselves in a positive way,' said committee member Fran Labarre. Along with the Nemihitowok Hoop Troop, the Cranberry Birch Drummers were on hand as well as a guitar and singing act, free runners and a fiddler. The event succeeded in its goal of promoting the efforts of the youth. 'I think they learned about themselves,' said Labarre. 'They saw that they engaged in positive behaviours when stressed,' added committee member Deanna Johnson. Learning options Through discussions, Johnson said the youth were able to learn about the local options they have for help _ such as places they can go and numbers they can call. The most common issues talked about were drugs, suicide, bullying and abuse. 'It's a way to reach the kids and see that there is an awareness of the issues kids face today,' Johnson said. 'This is a way we can listen to the kids,' said Labarre. 'I don't know if adults always listen.' The Raise Your Voice contest had the youth, both male and female, from Creighton Community School, Hapnot Collegiate and Ecole McIsaac School, sharing their thoughts on the issues of today. The four winning videos were played as well as a music video shot with the Tobacco Tackle Team from Ruth Betts Community School. The team members used their creativity to change the lyrics to the Justin Bieber song 'Never Say Never' to 'Never Smoke Ever.' The committee also played the recent music video Flin Flonners Callum Spencer and Jayde Clendenning helped produce with six other Manitoba teens. Called 'Unbreakable', the video and its song stress the importance of the empowerment of women and girls. The following students and their videos were chosen from the Raise Your Voice contest: 1st place winners Stereotyping - Madison Mihalicz, Sarah Burwash Boyes, Ariel Henderson, Myla Bridgeman Forbes, Taylor Oliynyk Raise your voice! Tell Someone! - Grade 7 Jones (Ecole McIsaac School) 2nd place winners Before You Judge Them - Hope Friesen, Brooke Johnston and Stephanie Novasel Issues We Face Today - Grade 7 Reid (Ecole McIsaac School) Honourable Mentions The New Kid - Ryan Brooks, Quinten Fieber, Micheal McIntyre The Bottle Shouldn't Be Your Friend - Jonneah Wilson and Kelsie Gardner Dealing with Depression - Jessie Younge and Wendy Corden Raise Your Voice - Kristen Hartl, Louisa Morin, Danielle Labine and Taylor Oliynyk
