November 06, 2009

Screening of ‘Viral Video’ finalists is Nov. 13

by Christi Mathis

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Bound only by the limits of imagination, students at Southern Illinois University Carbondale created videos with a tobacco free message.

Now, you can see at the premier of the seven finalist videos. The “Viral Video” contest screening and awards are set for 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13, at the Student Health Center Auditorium.

All SIUC students were eligible to compete. The finalists will show the videos they created to promote the Live Free Tobacco Free program (www.tolivefree.com) at the University and the Illinois Tobacco Quitline (www.quityes.org). Live Free Tobacco Free is the smoking cessation program utilized at the Wellness Center within the Student Health Center.

Judging will be by a volunteer panel including SIUC faculty, staff and students as well as leaders of area community organizations. Prizes are Wal-Mart gift cards ranging from $100 to $1,000.

But that’s not all. The University, the Wellness Center, the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Jackson County Health Department will use the winning video to promote smoking prevention and cessation, said Christopher Julian-Fralish, coordinator of the Alcohol and other Drug Program at the Wellness Center.

Admission to the Viral Video presentations and awards is free and open to the public. For more information, call 618/536-4441 or e-mail wellness@siu.edu.