The winning videos in this year’s League of Women Voters of Washington Student Video Contest include a breezy, informative look at the state’s Future Voter program and a toe-tapping parody of a children’s song that delivers a message about how to mark a ballot. 

Celebrating its fourth year, the contest presents the League with an opportunity to reach out to younger people “right there on the brink of becoming voters,” said Jane McClure, co-chair of the contest committee with longtime League member Linnea Hirst. 

Considering the many studies that show young people are disillusioned about voting, that outreach is particularly important, McClure added. She described the statewide contest as “a great way for the League to find out what’s going on in the minds of young people.” 

This year’s submissions featured entries that deal with compelling topics, such as the return of voting rights to persons who have been incarcerated. 

Student teams at Mount Vernon High School in Mount Vernon, under the guidance of faculty member Anna Weimer, produced the top two videos. 

Students Keirsten Valencia, Adilene Vasquez-Verduzco, and Carolina Bonillia-Zamora won first place for “Future Voter Program.” The brightly colored, 72-second video introduces the state program that allows students younger than 18 to preregister to vote. 

“Not only will you be prepared to vote, but if you turn 18 before November, you’ll be eligible to vote during the primary election,” the narration tells viewers. 

The second-place video was prepared by student Sarah Neilson, who created a parody of "The Duck Song,” which gained popularity among young people nearly 20 years ago. Neilson sang and used stop-motion photography adapted to video format. 

Winners earned cash prizes for their work. Details about the contest are featured on a dynamic website that provides how-to information for teachers, students and local Leagues.  Local League members work hand-in-hand with schools to promote the event. 

These videos are the voices of students, McClure said, “And their voices matter.” 

Watch the winning videos from this year: Future Voter Program (1st place) and The Duck Song, Election Edition (2nd place).