VIDEO: LHS Students' Anti-Sexting Video Wins Middlesex DA's PSA Project

The following was provided by the Middlesex County District Attorney's Office.

Three students from were chosen by their peers as the winners of the fourth annual Middlesex County District Attorney’s Office PSA Project, District Attorney Gerry Leone announced yesterday, June 21.

Students Samantha Gray, Carly Gravallese and Matt Gravallese created a 60- second PSA video titled “I Respect Myself.” Nearly 1,500 students across Middlesex County voted in the contest to select the winning video from five finalists. View the winning video above or by clicking here.

“The students who submitted the winning PSA did a great job communicating a key theme of the contest – the importance of making healthy choices in relationships,” DA Leone said.  “The winning video is creative and compelling, depicting the concerning phenomenon of ‘Sexting.’  The message of the video, focusing on the dangerous nature of sending photos of themselves or others, while encouraging teens to respect themselves, is one we often highlight in addressing this issue.  I congratulate the students for their hard work and all the students who participated in this program.”

The District Attorney’s PSA Project, created in conjunction with Middlesex Partnerships for Youth, Inc., was launched in 2009 to spark a positive dialogue and encourage teens to speak out about important issues affecting youth. 

For the 2012 contest, students were encouraged to create and produce an original 30 second to 60 second video based on following themes: promoting healthy, substance free relationships, peer pressure, appreciating self worth, and demonstrating judgment and personal responsibility.  More than 200 students worked on 25 videos submitted for consideration.

The four additional finalists in the PSA contest were:

• “Peer Pressure, Don't Do It (Fire Alarm),” Somerville High School 
• “Under Pressure,” The Sullivan Middle School, Lowell
• “Peer Pressure, Not For Me, I Run Under Pressure To Succeed,” Somerville High School
• “Flash Forward,” Nashoba Valley Technical High School, Westford

All entries were viewed and finalists were selected by a panel of school personnel, law enforcement officials, and members of the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office. The five PSA finalists were shown to high school students throughout Middlesex County in classrooms and assemblies where students selected the winner. 

DA Leone first launched the PSA Project in 2009.  The first project focused on teen dating violence and the winner was created and produced by students from Somerville High School.  After the first year’s success, the PSA Project continued in 2010 with a focus on teen impaired driving.  The 2010 winning PSA was created and produced by a student at Lowell High School.  And in 2011, two students from Lexington High School won after they submitted their PSA on cyber safety.