Keita Funakawa video wins award

Keita Funakawa was awarded 2009-2010 technology media student of the year, and he also won an award for a video submission to "Be The Change."

The video entitled "Tibet" was awarded an honorable mention in the choices program "Be the Change" Student Video Contest.

View the video by clicking here!

"Is there anything this young man can't do when he puts his mind to it?!" said Mark Hines, MPI technology director (Shown at right congratulating Keita at the Honors & Awards Assembly).
"We received some excellent video submissions, and although we could not award more than three prizes, we felt that your video deserved special recognition. Your use of video footage, images and a well-written narrative combined to create an informative and compelling piece on human rights in Tibet," said Tanya Waldburger of Choices. The video is now featured on the contest website.

"The local PAAC office asked our club to enter this nationwide competition about global issues and and being an agent of change and globally cognizant," said teacher Mary Sullivan-Tanaka. "Keita, a sophomore, put together this video. The social studies department at MPI uses the Choices program curriculum, which is based out of Brown University."

The Pacific and Asian Affairs Council's mission is to promote a greater awareness and understanding of foreign affairs issues with special attention to Hawaii's role in the Asia-Pacific region.

The Choices for the 21st Century Education Program is a national education initiative based at Brown University's Watson Institute for International Studies. The program seeks to empower young people with the skills, knowledge, and participatory habits to be engaged citizens who are capable of addressing international issues through thoughtful public discourse and informed decision making.