High Schoolers Get the Word Out on ECE

But what makes the teens and young adults participating in First 5 LA's Early Childhood Education High School Recruitment Program different than other kids is that they already know that futures as teachers or early childhood care providers are worthwhile careers to work toward, and are helping spread the word.

The High School Recruitment Program aims to encourage high school students to consider careers working with infants, toddlers and preschooler at a child care facility. With so many families utilizing child care, there is a great need for qualified, dedicated and properly trained people to care for young children. First 5 LA has five grantees working with 14 high schools and community colleges across Los Angeles County as part of its Workforce Development Initiative.

Besides the training and first-hand experience the students receive through the program, they also have the opportunity to create 60-second public service announcements to let other high school and college students know about the program, and win prizes for their videos.

On Nov. 29, this year's 12 entries were played and judged at First 5 LA. Francisco Oaxaca, director of Public Affairs, was on hand during the contest and said he could sense a lot of enthusiasm and dedication by the students, as well as their advisers.

"In looking at the videos, the impression I had was you could tell it was the kids who worked on them," Oaxaca said. While the videos looked "homegrown," Oaxaca said he was impressed with how the teenagers worked together as teams, made decisions and used technology that was available to them.

"I thought they all did a really good job of sticking to the message ... and making them interesting and compelling," Oaxaca added.

Click on the title of the winning entries to view them:

• Creativity: Changing a Child's Life a Child at a Time by San Fernando High School

• Message Delivery: Are You Ready? To Get Informed! by Marshall High School

• Grand Prize: I Want to Be by the Boys & Girls Club

The Grand Prize winners received laptop computers while the winning Message Delivery and Creativity teams won digital cameras.

You can see all the entries by clicking here.

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