Polio Videos By Upper St. Clair Students Need Your Votes

How did Upper St. Clair students armed with video cameras take a shot at changing the world? And how can you help them?

It's a play on words, actually. The "shot" is the polio vaccine.

The students entered a video contest to "Take A Shot at Changing the World" that is inspired by a new film, "The Shot Felt 'Round the World." It tells the story of how Dr. Jonas Salk and his team pulled together with the Pittsburgh community and nation to develop the polio vaccine.

More than 100 students in 60 middle and high schools in southwestern Pennsylvania were challenged to come up with a short video about the development of the vaccine and ongoing work today to eradicate the disease worldwide.

Upper St. Clair High School students entered four videos in the sixth-ninth grade category and 14 videos in the 10th-12th grade category. You can help them by voting for their videos.

1. The Mad Muffly's of Fort Couch Middle School entered this video which is an overview of the past, present and future of polio. Maddy, the submitter, said her team worked very hard on the the project so they hope you enjoy.

2. "The Polio Epidemic" contains a brief history described by Abby and Riley, of St. Louise de Marillac, in a newscast format. 

3. "Take a Shot Interview" is brought to you by Christian R. of St. Louise de Marillac. Christian said his grandfather, Robert F. Good, studied at Pitt Medical School while Dr. Jonas Salk was there doing his research. Dr. Good was a pediatrician in the South Hills area and was the first to mass distribute the polio vaccine. Christian interviewed his grandmother who recollected the great event to help eliminate the dreadful polio disease.

4. Team N.B.J.K. of Fort Couch Middle School submitted, "The Dreamer." The story is about a student who falls asleep only to find her best friend has polio in her dream.

5. "A Girl Named Daisy" was submitted by a group of students from Upper St. Clair High School. The video covers two time periods: past and present. Their story is a story within a story; a grandma tells her granddaughter a story about a little girl named Daisy and how the polio epidemic affected her.

6. "Channel 1 News Presents: The Polio Rap" was created by a group of students to spread the word about polio and how it still has a great impact on the lives of many across the world.

7. "Paulee Has Polio" is about a dancer named Becky in the 1950s who contracts polio. Her struggles are documented as she begins to lost the ability to dance. The Upper St. Clair High School group demonstrates the anatomical and personal effects of Polio.

8. Another Upper St. Clair High School group submitted the "Interview of Jonas Salk." The students interviewed Jonas Salk's son.

9. "Medicine Talk" was submitted by another group from Upper St. Clair High School. They discussed polio in a talk show format.

10. Team USC412 submitted this informational video about how polio has affected millions of lives. The students also worked to emphasize the importance of polio awareness.

11. "A Polio Bedtime Story" was submitted by Katie, Anna and Sean. The story is about a monster named Polio.

12. "Polio Documentary" was submitted by Team Josh. It's an informative video describing the Polio issue as it is still an issue today.

13. Team Her Majesty's Secret Service submitted "Polio Then and Now." In the video, a patient discovers he has polio and a knowledgeable doctor gives him background information about the disease.

14. "Polio Virus News Report" was submitted by Team I Heart Anatomy. The video is a news report based on past and present information about polio, including an interview with someone diagnosed with polio and another person who did not to compare lifestyles. 

15. "Polio Then and Now: A Documentary" is a five-minute video showing the common-held view that Polio is gone from the world, what it was like and how you can help now.

16. Team Amazing submitted "Polio: Silent Movie and Rap." Their goal was to create a silent movie and a rap to give a fun, informative presentation on the polio disease and vaccination and how it impacted lives. 

17. A high school group used puppets to educate people about polio in the video called "Polio Puppets." 

18. Team Waterfull interviewed local nurses and professionals about polio in this video.

Voting ends at 5 p.m. on Friday, April 8. The public is invited to cast votes at www.takeashotcontest.org. 

The winning video will receive $5,000, be featured on The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation website, and will air on WQED-TV, according to the Take A Shot Contest website. Four finalists will receive a cash prize of $1,000.

All entrants will receive a “Take a Shot at Changing the World” commemorative wristband and a certificate of participation from Rotary International.