On Sept. 18, Georgia College’s Office of University Communications launched a video competition challenging students to show ways they can support each other by following GC’s collective values of Reason, Respect and Responsibility. The competition had over 25 student submissions that showcased the energy, creativity and positivity of the Bobcat community. The contest also came with grand cash prizes of $500 for first place, $300 for second and $200 for third.

“I am so proud of our three winners and of all the outstanding Bobcats who submitted videos showing their continued efforts to keep campus safe and together,” said Georgia College President Steve Dorman. “They have shown us the true spirit of togetherness and perseverance that Georgia College is known for and what makes our university truly special.”

“It is really wonderful to see such creative content being developed by our students and for such a critical public health message,” remarked Associate Vice President for Strategic Communications Omar Odeh. “We all need to be reminded of the importance to stay safe and remain vigilant against COVID-19. The creativity we have seen makes that message even more compelling.”

The first-place video was submitted by senior exercise science major Rachel Jeneff with help from senior sociology major Abby Leedy, who filmed the video, and senior criminal justice major Joe Betz, who appeared in the video and contributed vocals. The video depicts Jeneff and Betz, donned in masks, in an ultimate face-off on the tennis court with a rendition of ‘Eye of the Tiger’ as the vocal track in the back. The three roommates came up with the idea as something to do together and it took off from there. 

“One night we were all sitting in our living room, and we were talking about how we should enter the contest,” said Jeneff. “Joe mentioned how he wanted tennis, since we have been actively playing tennis intramurals, and ‘Eye of the Tiger’ in the video. I replied with ‘It’s the eye of the bobcat” and we decided that we should make a parody.”

First-year psychology major Anna Grace Douberly took second place with her retro-inspired video that took her from the library to the fountain to doing cartwheels on Front Campus. 

“I've always loved making videos, and I attended Savannah Arts Academy for high school where I majored in film studies, so making short video projects is something that I'm experienced in,” Douberly said. “I found out about the contest the day before the deadline and put everything down to work on it so I could come up with something unique and fun. I wanted to come up with something that was a little goofy, and I immediately thought of old school PSAs where the ‘cool kid’ does the right thing. I went with an 80s theme because ‘Jump’ by Van Halen was the first thing that came to my mind in terms of what music I wanted to use.”

The Savannah, Georgia, native was excited to come to campus after being quarantined at home for five months. She wanted to do her part to keep Georgia College together and safe.

“The message is important to me because when our numbers were going up really fast at the start of the year, it was pretty scary and really disappointing seeing students not wearing their masks around campus or going to parties all weekend,” she said. “I didn't want my freshman year of college to be cancelled like the end of my senior year was.”

Third place went to first-year mass communication major Jenna Puszewski, who produced a concise how-to video on ways to beat COVID-19 like wearing a mask, maintaining a 6-foot distance and washing your hands. The video was shot vlog style, where she talked one-on-one with viewers.

“My idea was to take a more vlog-style approach to the video because I thought it would help the viewers feel like we were having more of a genuine, one-on-one conversation,” she said. “Connection is what is most important to me when creating content. 

A theme running throughout all the submissions is an eagerness to stay on campus and finding ways to stay safe and be together, yet apart. 

“I’ve still managed to have the college experience by doing small things that bring me joy. I have taken many socially-distanced walks around campus, my suitemates and I have had picnics on front campus (at least six feet away from others) and I have joined some clubs,” Puszewski said. “While doing these simple activities, I have naturally made friends, furthering my college experience during an uncertain, new time.”