Members of the Merze Tate Explorers entered their short video projects in Public Media Network’s Say Something! Media and Ideas Festival in April. The students’ works were viewed to a studio audience and were recognized among media makers of all ages. Tirrea Billings, an Explorer mentor, won for her documentary, “The Arcus Center for Social Justice Leadership.”

Explorers Nya and Alayna Kuhn won for Best Youth Public Service Announcement for their commercial, “Time,” about the importance of spending time with family. Their projects “Capitol Hill,” and “Burj Al Arab” also were featured as short travel videos.

Explorer Syann Hollins was featured in the Best Music Video project, “Little Miss Perfect” directed by MJ Harrell. The film highlights a girl who portrayed a perfect life in public, but struggles behind closed doors…even to the point of attempting suicide. The message is thought provoking and one all schools should use to highlight the pressures youth face today.

Sadaya Hamby entered the Spoken Word category and received huge applause for her true-life poem based on racism of the past and how it is spilling over into the current and future generations.

Maya Daniels, Brittany Wright, and Darianna Browning entered the music video category for a quick, fun dance to Trap Queen by Fetty Wap.

Congrats everyone!