Tenth-grade health classes at Shaker High School recently embarked on a project with Lamar Advertising. The partnership, which was organized by SHS Health Teacher Jennifer Moran, allowed students to create public service announcements for their community and the winning billboard was unveiled on Wed., Dec. 14.
Lamar Advertising donated the billboard space and many hours of their time to provide students education on advertising design. Lamar Advertising also spent three days with the classes to listen to the students pitch their creations.
The topics that were covered included: DWI, mental health, alcohol, tobacco, and any other drug related issues that could impact the community. The students completed an original billboard using the design program Canva. The students then delivered a three-minute pitch to the Vice President of Lamar Advertising Mike Flanagan emphasizing why their work would have the most impact on the community.
Lamar Advertising chose Tenth-grade Shaker High School student Kate Condon’s billboard. The work can be viewed on Route 9 in Latham across the street from the Newtonville Post Office.
Kate believes that community awareness is necessary to end domestic violence. According to the CDC, one in four women and one in seven men will experience severe physical violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime. Shaker High School’s Health Education Department has partnered with the Albany Crime Victim and Sexual Violence Center and will be educating and empowering the students on healthy relationships and dating violence. The depth of these programs will be designed to the student’s age and development.
The picture on the billboard is that of design creator Kate Condon. Kate used special effects makeup in order to create the harsh image, which is unfortunately a reality that North Colonie’s health education program and community partners hope to prevent through education and awareness. Kate learned her makeup skills in a special effects course she took a couple of summers ago.
Ten finalists will also have their work displayed digitally on I-90. View all the designs here: Billboard Finalists.