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Enter Now - Courageous Persuaders Video Competition Deadline is February 12

Courageous Persuaders program delivers youth-to-youth message about dangers of underage drinking

Jan 29, 2014

TROY, Mich., Jan. 29, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The Detroit Auto Dealers Association (DADA) Education Foundation reminds students that the deadline for entry into the Courageous Persuaders video competition is approaching quickly. The deadline for entry is February 12, 2014. DADA President Paul Sabatini made the announcement.

Courageous Persuaders is a competition-based scholarship program that invites high school students to create a 30-second commercial about the dangers of underage drinking. The commercials are targeted toward middle school-aged children, with the winning entries aired on television and via streaming video on courageouspersuaders.com. The Michigan Department of State also shows the winning commercials in select Secretary of State (SOS) branch offices. The winners will be announced at a gala Awards Celebration to be held in May.

"This is a great program for both middle and high school students," said Sabatini.  "Creating the videos and messages gives high school students an opportunity to be positive role models and influence younger peers' attitudes and behavior, and gives middle school students insight into the very real dangers of underage drinking. I'm very proud that the DADA Educational Foundation is so engaged in the program."

The Courageous Persuaders program was created in 2000 by the late Oakland County District Judge Michael A. Martone and John Barczyk, a retired local McCann-Erickson advertising executive.  In 2007, the DADA Education Foundation became the primary sponsor and administrator of the Courageous Persuaders. Last year, the contest drew 547 entries from 1,107 participating students from throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Winning entries are eligible for the following scholarship awards:

  • Grand Prize: $3,000
  • First Place: $1,500
  • Second Place: $1,000
  • Third Place: $500

Additionally, special awards are also presented by Courageous Persuaders partners:

  • Lindsey Renee Cianciolo Family Memorial Scholarship: $3,000 - two $1,500 Michigan-based scholarship winners
  • Detroit Auto Dealers Association (DADA) Award; $2,000
  • Adcraft Club of Detroit Award: $2,000 - presented to the commercial that conveyed factual information about the dangers of alcohol use
  • Wall Street Journal Award: $2,000 - chosen among the most persuasive commercials, as judged by middle school students
  • State Farm Insurance: $1,000 - awarded to a Michigan-based entry on the dangers of drinking and driving
  • College for Creative Studies Award: $250 - based on the creativity of the commercial
  • Wall Street Journal Courageous Leader Award - presented to a special teacher for his or her extraordinary support of the Courageous Persuaders program

To view last year's winning commercials and/or enter the 2014 competition, visit the Web site at CourageousPersuaders.com, or contact Sandy Herp at 248.283.5138 or sherp@dada.org.

About the DADA Education Foundation
The mission of the DADA Education Foundation is to promote excellence in education through quality programs and leadership.

About Detroit Auto Dealers Association (DADA)
The DADA was founded in 1907 by 17 local car dealers, and has grown to more than 220 member car and truck dealers who donate their time and resources to a host of community activities. Currently, the DADA members collectively employ more than 16,500 people. Many members participate in the NAIAS, LLC, which is responsible for the production of the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS). To find out more about Detroit Auto Dealers Association, visit dada.org. To find out more about the NAIAS, visit naias.com.

SOURCE DADA Education Foundation

For further information: Sandy Herp, 248.283.5138, sherp@dada.org