The participants of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) grant project from the Santa Ana Public Library recently received first place for their entry for the 2012 Teen Video Challenge. This video depicts this year’s theme for the Summer Reading Program “Own the Night.” The participants of the program came up with the lyrics to a rap that inspires reading and learning in people of all ages. With the help of the mentors and instructors from the Rancho Santiago Community College District, this group of proactive teens came up with a universal story that is worthy of national notoriety.

The WIA participants worked around the clock to film, edit, record audio, sound mix, and upload the video onto the library’s YouTube channel. The video is now up for viewing.

The Santa Ana Public Library “Seeds to Trees” video was up against fourteen other entries in California. After being posted to YouTube, the video received more “Likes” than any other entry and has been viewed nearly 16,000 times. Once the YouTube “Likes” were counted and ranked, the contest was decided by a panel of judges consisting of the California State Librarian, Stacey Aldrich, film and music producer, Jerry Kramer, and director, Dave Laden. The teens will be awarded a cash reward and the Santa Ana Public Library will also receive prizes from the Collaborative Summer Library Program. These hardworking individuals put their hearts and souls into this project and are thrilled to have received recognition for their efforts.