Geneva High students win Internet safety contest
Four Geneva High School students recently won first place in the electronic media category of the first statewide Internet safety contest.
Junior Kit Willadsen and seniors Anton Malovany, Stewart Stoffregen and Conor Westrate produced the winning video, "Words Hurt." The video illustrates how words hurt, regardless of gender, that they stick with you and you wear those words not only on the outside, but the inside as well.
On May 20, they were recognized during a ceremony at the Governor's mansion and attended the Illinois State Board of Education's Education Policy and Planning Committee meeting.
"These four young men have proven they have a talent," said Geneva High teacher Cheryl Klein-Weintraub. "Individually they are all gifted; together as a team, they have produced incredible pieces of work. 'Words Hurt' is very moving. I'm extremely proud of their accomplishments."
The video project started as an assignment in Klein-Weintraub's "Composition for Broadcasting" class after Geneva Unit District 304 asked her to create videos for Internet Safety. Students produced seven public service announcements, and District 304 administrators watched the videos and selected "Words Hurt" as the best representation for prevention of bullying for the ISBE Competition for Internet Safety.
Sponsored by the ISBE, the Illinois Attorney General and the Governor's offices, the contest was designed to raise awareness about the potential dangers associated with Internet usage and to prevent the misuse of technology. Students in first to 12th grade were encouraged to submit either a poster or electronic project addressing Internet safety and specifically, cyberbullying. Winners of the Internet Safety contest were judged by staff from the three agencies as well directors from Illinois Learning Technology Centers.
The contest follows a law that went into effect Jan. 1, 2009, requiring school districts to incorporate Internet safety into the curriculum at least once each school year beginning in third grade. Under state law, each local school district determines how to include lessons into the classroom.
Some recommended topics include the safe and responsible use of social networking websites, chat rooms, bulletin boards and other means of communication on the Internet.
It is also recommended that instruction includes information on recognizing, avoiding and reporting online solicitation by sexual predators, recognizing and reporting online harassment and cyberbullying and knowing the risks of transmitting personal information on the Internet.