A red carpet premiere for Photovoice project

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A different kind of movie premiered at The Strand Wednesday night, one made by Delaware County students.

The Strand hosted the premiere of the 2015 Delaware County “Youth Photovoice Project,” which was a collaboration between the Delaware County General Health District and 24 area students. Students were given cameras by the health district and were tasked with taking photos that they think represents good and bad health in the county.

The students, ranging from sixth grade to 12th grade, attended training meetings with the health district to learn more about health in the community.

The photos were edited into a nine-minute film with text over each photo, giving the students’ thoughts.

The photos and commentaries spanned multiple topics, including recycling and the environment, public safety, health lifestyles and community.

Kelsey Kuhlman, a health educator at the health district and one of the leaders of the project, said it was crucial to get the input from the students.

Sarah St. John, a senior at Olentangy High School, said the project was eye-opening for her.

“There are parts of the county that are so different than where I live,” St. John said. “It was cool to see what other kids have. I learned the county has a lot of good things to be proud of.”

Sarah’s sister, Sophie, a middle school student, said she enjoyed assessing the good and bad in the county.

“There’s a lot of positive and bad things in the county,” Sophie said. “The bad affects people just as much as the good. We need to fix the bad stuff and help the good things get better.”

Moving ahead, the data collected by students will be used for the 2015 Youth Health Assessment, and will help the health district and its partner, the Family and Children First Council of Delaware County, to determine the top issues facing Delaware County youth and come up with solutions and action plans to deal with them.

“The project was phenomenal,” Kuhlman said. “We are excited about the next step.”

Kuhlman said the health district hopes to do the project again next year.

Nancy St. John poses with her two children, Sophie and Sarah, at the “red carpet” premiere of the Youth Photovoice Project. Sophie and Sarah were just two of 24 county children who participated in the project.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2015/08/web1_11.jpgNancy St. John poses with her two children, Sophie and Sarah, at the “red carpet” premiere of the Youth Photovoice Project. Sophie and Sarah were just two of 24 county children who participated in the project.

By Glenn Battishill

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Glenn Battishill can be reached at 740-413-0903 or on Twitter @BattishillDG.

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