Lights, Camera, Take Action Campaign

This morning we held a press conference at Manchester High School to kick off the 3rd year of the Lights, Camera, Take Action campaign. I would like to share with you some of my remarks:

“Good morning! Welcome to Chesterfield County and to Manchester High School – proud home of the Mass Communications Specialty Center and of the 2008-09 Lights, Camera, Take Action video winner Jamet Jackson! We are always happy to showcase our talented students. This particular opportunity provides our students with hands-on learning; but even more importantly, it gives our students a chance to make a difference in our society. I’m extremely proud of our students’ efforts to eliminate underage drinking. Their efforts are strong indicators that our School Board-adopted core values of respect, responsibility, honesty and accountability resonate with many of today’s youth. It’s a personal honor to celebrate their successes here today, in light of CCPS celebration of the 10th anniversary of these core values. CCPS is a strong supporter of this region-wide effort to provide a safe community for our students. What makes this effort and the message even more powerful is it is designed and delivered by students. Parents in the room remember the challenges of trying to get our children to listen to our sage advice. When my three children were growing up, they often seemed to receive messages much more positively when they came from their peers than from my wife and I. This campaign is a gift that takes advantage of positive peer pressure. I challenge not only our students, but schools across the Richmond metro area to participate in this campaign. One of our annual goals is to provide a safe, supportive and nurturing learning environment. I can’t think of a better way to support and nurture our students: they need to understand the great decision-making responsibility that has been placed in their hands. Again, welcome to Chesterfield County. Thank you for your efforts to make our county and region a safe place to live and work!”