Two students from Lockerby Composite School have both been shortlisted for the People’s Choice Award for the Ontario Mining Association’s “So You Think You Know Mining” Video Competition.

Sean Israelson and Katrina Malinski created a video on the benefits of mining to society. “We are delighted to be among the best of the best in Ontario,” Sean Israelson, who is graduating this year from the Specialist High Skills Major in Mining at Lockerby Composite School, said. “We now invite everyone in the community to vote for us so we have a chance to win the People’s Choice Award.”

The public can cast their ballot for their favourite video at http://www.oma.on.ca/en/contestpages/index.asp. Online voting closes at midnight on June 14. Anyone who casts an online vote will be automatically entered into a draw and could be the recipient of an iPod. The students have a chance to win $2,500 and still be in the running for jury-awarded prizes as part of the provincial competition, including Best Overall Entry, Best Directing, Best Writing (Original Screenplay), Best Music (Original Score), Best Comedy, and Best Animated Video.

In addition, the top winner’s school will receive $500 worth of video equipment in recognition of the student achievement. Israelson’s video is called “Mining in Our World.” Katrina Malinski’s video is “Mining Matters.”

Both videos were selected based on originality, creativity, accuracy of information, effectiveness of message delivery and production quality. Video topics include economic growth, employment opportunities, beneficial end-uses of mining products, as well as technological and environmental innovation.

The winning video clips will be showcased at an awards ceremony in North Bay on June 15. The winners, or representatives of the winning teams, will be invited to attend the awards ceremony. As well, the judging panel will select a contestant, or team of contestants, who will be hired by the OMA to create a video of the awards ceremony.