THUNDER BAY – Ontario students are showing their skill and imagination. Christian Peters a student at Henry Coaster Memorial School in Ogoki Post has been recognized by the Ontario Mining Association for his winning video; Mining and My Community. The fifth annual SYTYKM Awards Ceremony was held at the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto.

Ontario Mining Association Video Awards

From drama, to musicals, to stop motion animation . . . Ontario students have showcased their talents! The Ontario Mining Association this evening announced the winners of its fifth annual So You Think You Know Mining high school video competition, which challenges students to tell imaginative stories about the benefits of mining to society.

More than 130 high quality videos from across the province were evaluated by an independent panel of media professionals to determine the winning entries in 10 categories, with prize money ranging from $2,500 to $5,000. In addition, OMA member company representatives voted for the $2,500 OMA Academy Award winner in a secret ballot. There was additional recognition for honorable mentions, as well as cash prizes for participating schools. Details about the contest, as well as the winning videos can be seen atwww.oma.on.ca.

“We are thrilled with the range and quality of videos submitted into this year’s competition,” said Chris Hodgson, President of the Ontario Mining Association. “These entertaining video stories will contribute to educating the public about the important role that mining plays in our modern lives.”

“The goods produced from our minerals provide the essentials we rely on in medicine, energy, construction, transportation and communication, among our other daily needs,” he added. “In addition, these talented video makers have shown that mining provides the building blocks we need to meet the growing global demand for greener products and services.”

The awards ceremony held on June 5, 2013 attracted many distinguished guests from the mining community, government, media and education sector. It took place at the Royal Ontario Museum, which houses spectacular galleries funded by the mining industry, among them The Canadian Mining Hall of Fame.

The 2013 SYTYKM competition prize recipients are listed below:

$5,000 for Best Overall Video: Christian Peters “Mining and My Community” Henry Coaster Memorial School, Ogoki Post; $500 for Henry Coaster Memorial School, Ogoki Post.

$2,500 for First Runner-Up: Clarabelle Lee “Mining Style” Don Mills Collegiate Institute, Toronto.

$2,500 for Second Runner-Up: Wamiq Bazaz “From the Mines” King’s College School, Caledon.

$2,500 for Best Original Screenplay: Daniel Lawson “This Rock” Central Huron Secondary School, Clinton.

$2,500 for Best Original Score: Ryan Pathammavong “Mining to the Beat” Resurrection Catholic Secondary School, Waterloo.

$2,500 for Best Director: Surinder Gill “Mined Power” Northview Heights Secondary School, Toronto.

$2,500 for Best Video in a Language Other Than English: Christian David Moreno “Señor Mining” H.B. Beal Secondary School, London (in Spanish with English subtitles).

$2,500 for Best Comedy: Matthew Tipold “Making A Difference Every Day” Jean Vanier Catholic High School, Collingwood.

$2,500 for Best Animation: Andrew Heffren “Mining Around Us” Sir Wilfrid Laurier Secondary School, London.

$2,500 for Best 30-Second Commercial: Nelani Skantharajah “The World of Mining” Danforth Collegiate and Technical Institute, Toronto.

$2,500 OMA Academy Award: Surinder Gill “Mined Power” Northview Heights Secondary School, Toronto.

$500 for Honourable Mention: Laura Heidenheim “Kill the Bad Will” H.B. Beal Secondary School, London; matching $500 prize to H.B. Beal Secondary School, London.