NASHVILLE, Tenn.—Three video-savvy teenagers are the top-prize winners in Bridgestone Americas' Teens Drive Smart Video Contest.
The Nashville-based tire maker announced that after sifting through almost 2,000 submissions, videos by Nicole Ricketts, Tosh Chambers and Natalie Barrios were the top winners.
"After seven years of holding this contest, I'm encouraged that we continue to receive such creative videos from passionate young adults who take an interest in making our roads safer," said Angela Patterson, manager, Teens Drive Smart Program.
She said that the company's goal is to "help teens make the right choice behind the wheel" but that message can be conveyed "much more effectively when it comes from a peer."
Ricketts of Anaheim, Calif., received the top prize—a $25,000 college scholarship—for her video, "Driving is Beautiful," which Bridgestone said aims to show the blessings, the beauty, the adventure and the fun that teen driving can be, while emphasizing the responsibility drivers have to preserve that beauty.
Chambers, a University of Pittsburgh sophomore, won second place and a $15,000 scholarship for his video, "Technically Almost Legal." His video shows multiple distractions in the car that should be avoided for safety purposes—even though not all of them are illegal.
Third place winner Barrios won a $10,000 scholarship for her video, "Safe Driver," that is a spoof on infomercials, advertising the ultimate safe driving companion.
Martha Levytsky of Bronxville, N.Y., was given a Critics' Choice award and a $2,500 cash prize for the video she produced, "Times Not to Text," which gives a comedic look at the absurdity of texting while driving.
Bridgestone said this year's winning videos competed with more than 1,800 submissions from 16-21 year olds across the U.S. The three winning videos, along with the other top 10 finalists, can all be viewed at the Teens Drive Smart website.
Winners also receive a free set of Bridgestone-brand tires, the tire manufacturer said, and the three top winners have the chance to have their videos broadcast as a public service announcement on television stations across the U.S.