A total cash prize of $2,500 was shared among four students who secured top spots in BTC’s recent Safer Internet Day Video Competition. BTC is a proud supporter of the global Safer Internet Day initiative and continues to promote a better and safer internet for all. Last month, the Company launched the video essay competition with two categories, for students in grades 4–6 and 7-9. Students shared safer internet tips for the general public, students and small business owners.
Yasmine Hanna, a sixth-grade student at St. Anne’s School emerged as the winner of the primary category securing a $700 case prize. Anwar Rolle Jr., a fifth-grade student at Sadie Curtis Primary School placed second, winning a cash prize of $500. Third place was awarded to NaQuaysha Scott, a fifth-grade student at Bertram A. Newton Primary School on Andros Island who won $300. Antonyche Roker, a ninth-grade student at Aquinas College captured first place in the junior division and was awarded $1,000.
The video essay competition was an opportunity for student writers with big personalities to champion the overall message of Safer Internet Day, which was celebrated this year under the theme, “Together for a better internet.”The competition required students to prepare and present an original essay via video on the topic: “Being smart, respectful and appropriate on the Internet.” The students were able to choose one of two essay prompts to provide structure to their videos.
Primary School winner Yasmine Hanna presented her essay in the form of a creative newscast, formatting her internet safety message as a feature segment. Playing two characters, news anchor and special guest, Hanna highlighted the need to always remain respectful online because this, she said, determines your reputation.
Hanna was surprised by her win. She said, “I honestly felt like this was the happiest moment of my life aside from when my brother was born, and I was in complete shock. I could barely talk, and I talk a lot. But it was a happy and proud moment that I will never forget.”
Antonyche Roker won the junior school category through her confidence, charisma, and well-structured presentation of internet safety tips. Her fun usage of graphics and a voiceover added to the overall professionalism and creativity of her video as she discussed the dangers of the internet and the effects they may have on persons of all ages.
Roker discussed her process that led to securing the first place prize, “The essay process included me narrowing the content to the most significant points, reviewing for grammatical errors, and rehearsing to obtain the perfect speed, intonation and clarity. More importantly, there were countless technical areas that had to be mastered to create an exceptional video.”
As an added bonus, the English departments of the winning schools also received a cash prize to further their programs. Principals from Aquinas College and St. Anne’s School were present to collect prizes on behalf of their schools and to support the students. BTC’s CEO Andre Foster considers internet safety to be of utmost importance as the internet is used daily for so many reasons. He said, “The old adage still holds true today, it takes a village to raise a child. What we saw demonstrated was a solid partnership with the schools and families to ensure that all of the participants were adequately prepared for this competition. We were very pleased with the quality of the content and the lengths that students took as they prepared their video essay submissions.
As the country’s longstanding communications provider, we wholeheartedly believe that initiatives like Safer Internet Day are important now more than ever before. We believe that this generation of students need to be fully equipped and armed with the necessary information.
And that’s truly what Safer Internet Day is all about, everyone getting involved to make the internet a better place for all of us. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with schools, parents and the wider community as we do our part to create a brighter future for The Bahamas.”
