Students with a Cause

It’s time again for the Students with a Cause competition, sponsored by the Richard Harris Law Firm. Now in its seventh year, the annual competition expands to include creative entries in four categories to illustrate the theme, “Just in Case.” This year, students are encouraged to create a submission that illustrates how to avoid dangerous or bad situations or how to be prepared if the unexpected happens. In addition to the 30-second video PSAs accepted in previous years, high school students in Clark County may submit a work of art, a short story or poem, or a website. As part of our law firm’s “Reach Out” program, Students with a Cause is a community-focused challenge, intended to raise awareness in different areas of safety.

Over the past seven years, we have had the privilege of receiving submissions from some of the most talented and creative local high school students. After seeing the creativity in the 30-second video submissions, we were encouraged to open the competition to other mediums to see students’ talent in writing, art and web, as well. Visit the links below for a sample of the impressive submissions we have received in previous years, including the winning videos.

2010 Drinking and Driving

2011 Pedestrian Safety

2012 Distracted Driving.

2013 Stop Bullying

2014 Helmet Safety

2015 “What If…”

In addition to the expanded entry categories, students have additional entry methods. Submissions may be made in person at the Richard Harris Law Firm until Friday, May 6, 2016, by 5:00 p.m., and online until Sunday, May 8, 2016, by 11:59 p.m. Further entry instructions can be found online at studentswithacause.org.

There will be four $1,000 scholarships available, one to be awarded to the student with the best entry in each category. Additionally, $500 will be awarded to the school of each winning student.

Students with a Cause’s goal is to encourage students to express their vision and experiences through creative interpretation, in a way that will engage, motivate and make a difference in their lives and the community. “My focus is to give students a sense of accomplishment and encourage them to create artistically while thinking critically about things that they should be doing ‘Just in Case,’” says Richard Harris, Founder of the Richard Harris Law Firm. “In all of the years that we have held this competition, I have seen Clark County students be more creative than I could have imagined.”

MAIN CONTEST RULES:

• Students must be currently enrolled in a high school in Clark County
• Students must be in grades 9 to 12
• Students under the age of 18 must obtain parent/guardian permission
• All video submissions must be 30-seconds in total length; all short stories or poems must not exceed 2,000 words; works of art can take any form; websites can be of any number of pages. These are the only entry methods and entries must fit properly into one of these categories to be eligible
• Submission must be the original work of the contestant
• Student Release Waiver and Consent of Broadcast and Advertising forms must be filled out and submitted with all submissions

Entries must be submitted by May 6, 2016 (in person)/May 8, 2016 (online)

WINNERS will be selected on May 27, 2016

For full contest details, visit studentswithacause.org.

The Richard Harris Law Firm sponsored and administered the Students With A Cause PSA Scholarship competition for the 5th consecutive year.  The competition is over now, all the students have submitted their PSA’s, the judges have judged, and the awards have been given.

This year’s topic was difficult, with an assigned subject of “Helmet Safety.”  Regardless of the selected topic, I have always looked forward to watching the efforts of the students when they begin submitting their videos…and I’m always amazed at the results.  They always exceed my expectations.  This year was no exception as the students addressed this topic with their usual creativity and wit.

This video was made using mostly stop motion animation, and 3 dozen eggs.

The Richard Harris Law Firm is challenging Southern Nevada teens to compete in its annual video public service announcement (PSA) contest this spring. Now in its fifth year, this year’s contest focuses on the topic of helmet safety. Currently enrolled high school students (grades 9 to 12) in Clark County, Nevada, are encouraged to submit their self-made video PSA for consideration. The Richard Harris Law Firm encourages students to creatively express true stories and life experiences to illustrate the important issue of helmet safety. The videos must be 30 seconds in length, contain no vulgar or inappropriate content and should be all original images and background music.

The Richard Harris Law Firm is challenging Southern Nevada teens to compete in its annual video public service announcement (PSA) contest this spring. Now in its fourth year, this year’s contest focuses on the topic of bullying. Currently enrolled high school students (grades 9 to 12) in Clark County, Nevada, are encouraged to submit their self-made video PSA for consideration. The Richard Harris Law Firm encourages students to creatively express true stories and life experiences to illustrate the important issue of bullying in society. The videos must be 30 seconds in length, contain no vulgar or inappropriate content and should be all original images and background music.

“It has become a disturbing trend over the past few years to hear about more children and teenagers bullied at school and online,” says Richard Harris, Founder of the Richard Harris Law Firm. “Many children are being sent to school in the morning and tortured by their peers personally and throughout the day on social networks. Too often we wake up to news about another child assaulted at school or taking their own life because of the physical and emotional pain they have to endure. If we can draw enough attention to the issue and impact even one child, we’ve done our job.”

To enter the PSA contest, students must upload their video to YouTube (with parent/guardian permission, if under the age of 18) and email a link of the video to [email protected] Entries must be received by May 24, 2013. Entries will be judged by a panel of professionals in the media and broadcast industry who will consider students’ creativity and ability to analyze the topic and produce a quality video. Winners will be announced on May 31, 2013.

First place winners will receive the choice between an Apple MacBook with Apple Final Cut Express HD or a $1,500 gift card to an electronics store.

A $500 donation will be made to the first place winner’s school.

The second place winner will receive a $500 gift card to an electronics store.

There is no charge for entry and participants may submit up to two video PSA’s.