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Video Contest

2023 San Diego Chapter Special Districts Make the Difference High School Student Video Contest

Student Video Contest Scholarship Opportunity!

Are you a San Diego county high school student interested in submitting a video to the contest? If so, you're in the right place! Videos can be submitted straight from a phone or uploaded from a computer. Once you've shot your video and are ready, upload your video to YouTube, make it "unlisted," and provide a link to your video in the application form.

Check out the easy steps on how to enter the contest below!

May contain: advertisement, poster, and person

This might just be the most fun you'll have applying for a scholarship -- no essay required! Are You Ready? Get started and submit your video here!

High school students in San Diego County are invited to create a fun and informative short video (60 seconds max) highlighting the ways special districts ‘Make the Difference’ in local communities throughout the San Diego Region for a chance to win a scholarship.

Easy Steps to Enter the Contest

  1. Review the contest rules.
  2. Create a 60-second video adhering to the contest rules - check out some inspiration at the bottom of this page!
  3. Upload to YouTube and make it "unlisted" adhering to contest rules.
  4. Complete the Contest Entry Form and submit your YouTube link to the form.

Contest videos should focus on highlighting one or more of the following areas:

  • A unique program, service, or infrastructure project that a special district is currently promoting.
  • How an individual, a group of individuals, or a community is affected by special districts.
  • How special districts are formed and how they can provide essential services to the community.

The video submission window will be open from February 22, 2022 to June 30, 2023. The top ten finalists will be chosen by San Diego Chapter CSDA "Districts Make the Difference" judging commitee. Final winners will be selected in July 2023. 

The video entries will be scored on the following criteria: incoporation of theme "How San Diego Special District's Make a Diffrence," creativity and originality, entertainment value, accuracy of information, effictiveness and value of information, and production quality.

At the end of May, the San Diego Chapter of CSDA will announce the Districts Make the Difference will award:

  • $1,500 for the First-place winner
  • $1,000 for the Second-place winner
  • $500 for the Third-place winner

    San Diego County high school students are strongly encouraged to participate in this contest for its educational engagement and scholarship opportunities. Enjoy creating a video, learning about special districts, and having fun for a chance to win up to $1,500!

    Tom Kennedy, SDCSDA past president; Katie Bycsek, Helix Charter school advisor; Andrew Simon, video contest winner; and Mike Bardin, past video contest cochair
    Tom Kennedy, SDCSDA past president; Katie Bycsek, Helix Charter school advisor; Andrew Simon, video contest winner; and Mike Bardin, past video contest cochair

    Need Inspiration? Check out previous video winners' videos here:

    2019 Winners

    What Makes Special Districts So Special? - First Place Winner
    Special DistrictS? - SECOND PLACE WINNER (lINK UNAVAILABLE)
    What Is So Special About Special Districts? - third place winner

    2018 Winners

    Special Districts - First Place Winner
    What's so Special About Special Districts? - Second place winner
    Community - third place winner

    2017 Winners

    Special Districts
    Special Districts 101
    Special Districts?
    What Makes Special Districts So SpeciaL?