SFUSD students create award-winning videos to show harmful effects of nicotine

SFUSD student Cole Pepper was among the winners at Breathe California's 2019 Clear the Air Film Fest (Photo courtesy Breathe California)

Three groups of San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) students that made videos about the harmful effects of vaping took home a prize from the Breathe California's Clear The Air Film Festival last month.

Now in its eighth year, the festival “strives to inspire young people to be a voice for their community and lend their unique perspectives to important lung and environmental health issues, using film as a medium for change” and received dozens of submissions.

On March 16, 22 finalist films were screened at the New People Cinema in San Francisco and students walked the red carpet after receiving their awards.

The winners from SFUSD are:

PSA: Youth Category

First Place and $300 Prize: “Breathe for the Future”
By: Aya Afenzal, Mattheson Dobay, Mamen Gashaw, Chantal Loong, Bella Ruan (Marina Middle School)

PSA: High School Category

Third Place and $100 Prize: "Here Are a Few Facts About Vape"
By: Kelly Guan, Baraah Zahar, Alexandra Steinway (Lincoln High School)

Short Film: General Public Category
First Place and $500 Prize: “Just as Bad: the Truth About Juuls”
By Cole Pepper. Featuring Joel Balzer, Ian Enriquez, Mandy Li, Christopher Pepper, Kristi Tan, Philip Wolf (Lincoln High School)

We join in congratulating these students and their advisers/teachers!

Here is a full list of this year's winners and finalists