High school students in Redwood City,
California, created “Make it Right,” a
music video that addresses problems
they experience daily in their community.
“We came up with the song because we
were at the stage in our lives where we
wanted our voices to be heard,” explains
Victor Rosas, one of the video’s creators.
“Once it was out there, it opened up our
futures.”
“I’ve learned to have more dedication,
not only in my schoolwork or projects,
but in life.” (age 17, United States)
Kyle Ames, a 17-year-old from
San Jose, California, created a public
service animation titled “Don’t Spread
the Hate,” which conveys the sadness
and futility of discrimination. AYV gave
Ames and other youth a forum where
they could discuss important topics and
openly share their views, which fostered
an environment that promoted learning
and increased understanding.
“I learned how to express myself in ways
that people would and could listen to, see,
and understand.” (age 16, Canada)
Students at Newcomers High School,
a school for recent immigrants in
New York, created “No More Silence,”
a video about the domestic abuse of un-
documented immigrants. As part of the
school’s integrated approach, the video’s
creators were invited into other classes
to lead discussions, furthering the reach
of the lessons learned when they created
the video.
“How to channel my ideas into a high-quality
piece of media that represents who I am and
what my ideas are.” (age 18, United Kingdom)
