Jenks Students Place In National Video Contest

By Chris Wright, The News On 6

JENKS, OK -- Three Jenks High School juniors claimed some of the top spots in C-SPAN's national StudentCam contest.

The competition asked kids across the country to submit short documentaries addressing what they feel is the most urgent issue facing President Obama.

Jenks junior Sheema Golbaba chose to explore relations with Iran, the country her parents hail from.

"The Iranian people do love America, they really do," Sheema said. "I want people to understand that."

In their film "Crossing New Borders," Kenzie Clark and Alexia Dickey took a look at immigration issues, including Oklahoma's controversial House Bill 1804.

These were two of more than 900 entries from across the country. Sheema placed second, and Kenzie and Alexia came in third.

"The first time I started making a documentary, I just fell in love with it," Alexia said. "I've been really passionate about it ever since."

This is the second year in a row Jenks has brought home top honors. One of its students won the competition last year.

"It's really satisfying to get the recognition," Jenks teacher Clifton Raphael said. "It's kind of an affirmation that we're doing what I think we should be doing."

All three girls plan to become film majors in college. They hope their success will encourage more area kids to pick up a camera.

"We're students that are passionate about it," Kenzie said. "We want to bring films here to Oklahoma."

The girls received more than $2,000 in prize money and will appear on C-SPAN next month.