Video makers Tequita Macdonald and Jessica Kerr.
Camera IconVideo makers Tequita Macdonald and Jessica Kerr. Credit: Supplied/Andrew Ritchie        www.communitypix.com.au d446467

Talented Iona pair zoom in on underage drinking

Sophie GabrielleWestern Suburbs Weekly

The two Iona Presentation College students, who have just finished Year 12, won $3000 from the Lions Club of Mandurah for their video in the Students Advising Youth (SAY) project.

The WA Police initiative encouraged groups of students to research the problems with alcohol and compile a short film to show how they could make their community drug- free and alcohol-aware.

Jessica and Tequita’s film features Jessica playing the character of alcohol and uses that character to discuss the negative consequences of underage drinking, including disconnection from family, memory loss and physical injury.

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The alcohol persona also recalls some of the experiences they have shared with young people, ending with an emotional narration of a car accident.

“It astounds me that so many people don’t seem to realise that underage drinking is illegal,” Jessica said.

“It just seems normal for some people.”

Tequita said it was important to them that they did not trivialise alcohol abuse.

“This is students explaining it to other students,” Tequita said.

Jessica and Tequita will donate $1000 of their prize money to the Nano Nagle Bursary fund, which provides financial assistance to a student who would otherwise not be able to attend Iona.