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Release Date:

Wednesday, October 31, 2018

HFC Telecommunication Students Win Voting PSA Video

Betsy Cushman with HFC students Elyas Perry and Justin Randles

HFC telecommunication students Justin Randles and Elyas Perry won “Best PSA to ‘Get Out The Vote,’” a 30-second video commercial to encourage and educate voters to vote in the Michigan General Election Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018.

This "VOTE411.org PSA - Get Out the Vote Contest" was sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Dearborn-Dearborn Heights (LWVDDH). Their PSA was chosen by LWVDDH members Fadwa Hammoud (who’s also a member of the HFC Board of Trustees); Jennifer Oliver, a member of the LWVDDH Board; and Betsy Cushman, a member of the both the LWVDDH Board and the LWV-Michigan Board.

Randles wrote and co-directed with Perry the commercial called “Get Informed, Go Vote.” In it, five students from all walks of life stated that 60% of Michigan residents did not vote in the midterm election in 2014.

“We were so pleased that the winning entry met all the criteria and was engaging and meaningful,” said Cushman. “The video features young people appealing to vote for their future. It sends a clear message that there’s a reason to vote: Vote for the future.”

“If you can’t find a reason to vote for yourself, vote for me,” said the students. “Vote for me. Vote for me. Vote for us.”

Randles and Perry won a $300 award. They were scheduled to have their PSA aired at the Michigan Student Political Issues Convention Oct. 19. The video is currently featured on the LWVDDH website, as well as social media.

“It was a call to action and the idea clicked right there,” said Randles. “When I learned I won, I was pretty excited. The email came in around 5 a.m. I was still in bed. I emailed Elyas right away to let him now. So far, it’s been well-received, and I’m proud of that."

Susan McGraw, HFC professor of telecommunication, was the one who informed Randles about the contest in her class.

"I'm extremely impressed with Justin's passion and creativity, both on this project and in his studies as a telecommunication student here at HFC," said McGraw. "He thrives on challenges and exudes discipline and determination, especially in support of a cause he believes in. Winning this video contest shows that hard work does pay off, and he absolutely deserves this recognition."