Immediate Release Contact: Dana W. Vandiver

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334/277-9700

$3,250 IN PRIZES UP FOR GRABS IN ‘HOW WE ACHIEVE EXCELLENCE IN OUR SCHOOL’VIDEO CONTESTFOR PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS GRADES 6-12

Montgomery, AL - (February 2017) –The Alabama Association of School Boards announces its sixth annual statewide “How We Achieve Excellence in Our School” video contest. The contest allows entries from public school students in grades 6-12, a maximum of two from each Alabama school system.

The contest applauds excellence in teaching, the creativity of Alabama’s public school students and the positive school experiences that inspire students to graduate.

Four lucky schools will share in prizes totaling $3,250 for their 30- to 60-second commercials/public service announcements. The top fourvideoswill be shown on December 9, 2017,during AASB’s Annual Convention in Birmingham, at a future Alabama State Board of Education meeting in Montgomery and on the Alabama Public Television and AASB websites.

Prizes are:

  • First Prize: $1,500, jump drive and a certificate
  • Second Prize: $1,000, jump drive and a certificate
  • Third Prize: $500, jump drive and a certificate
  • Honorable Mention:$250and a certificate

Timeline: The contest opens for entries Wednesday, Feb.1, 2017. Entries must be postmarked by Friday, April 7, 2017, and submitted to the Alabama Association of School Boards. The AASB office – at 4240 Lomac St. in Montgomery, AL 36106 – is open from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. Entries may be mailed to:

AASB Video Contest

P.O. Drawer 230488

Montgomery, AL 36123-0488

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2 of 2-AASB Video Contest

Length & format: School systems should submit no more than two entries produced bypublic school students (open to grades 6-12), saved in DVD format. High quality video preferred (720p to 1080p). No shorter than 30 seconds and no longer than 60 seconds. Submission and release forms (available at must accompany each entry.

Evaluation criteria (as judged by Alabama Public Television and other media professionals):

  • Creativity & originality
  • Production quality & technical skill (sound, video, transitions, etc.)
  • Effectiveness in portraying the theme

Sponsors: Alabama Association of School Boards, Fairbanks LLC and Alabama Public Television (American Graduate grant funded by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting)

Public recognition:The top four videos will be shown at 8:30 a.m. Dec. 9, 2017 at AASB’s convention at The Hyatt Regency Birmingham-The Wynfrey Hotel in Birmingham, where the 1st, 2nd, 3rd place and honorable mention winners will be awarded their prizes; at a future Alabama State Board of Education meeting in Montgomery; and on

The Alabama Association of School Boards represents all of the state’s public local school boards. Since 1949, AASB has served education leaders and the interests of local decision making in public education. The association’s mission is to develop excellent school board leaders through quality training, advocacy and services. Visit .

Fairbanks LLC, a Chicago-based company, brings significant expertise in implementing and managing Medicaid reimbursement programs for health-related services. The Fairbanks teamworks in partnership with AASB to file Medicaid Direct Service claims on behalf of participating Alabama school systems. Visit .

The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), in partnership with America's Promise Alliance and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, has launched American Graduate: Let's Make It Happen — an initiative to raise awareness of and bring attention to the dropout issue and create community-based projects that make school more personalized and relevant for students, engage parents, and develop and support effective teachers. Visit .

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