AHOSKIE – Perhaps the next famous Hollywood film director is already honing their skills in Hertford County.

Approximately 60 middle and high school students from Hertford County were among hundreds of students in six counties across North Carolina who participated in the “Lights, Camera, Active!” video contest sponsored by the N.C. Division of Public Health.

The contest is part of a statewide campaign to address the growing obesity rate in North Carolina by drawing attention to the “built environment” – the ways a community does or doesn’t support healthy living. Examples of “built environments” include trails where we run; baseball and soccer fields where we compete; exercise facilities where we work out; public parks where we play; and sidewalks and streets where we walk.

The 11 winning videos to be showcased in the premiere event feature students’ impressions of their own communities and their ideas for positive, healthy change.

Locally, the award-winning videos will be shown to the general public during a 90-minute presentation (7-8:30 p.m.) on Thursday, March 31 at the Brabble Family Life Center (Carpenter’s Shop Church), located at 903 South Catherine Creek Road. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and admission is free. Light refreshments will be               served.

Invited guests for the March 31 premiere include participating students and their families, health and fitness advocates, planning and transportation community leaders, school leaders and local and state government representatives. The public is encouraged to attend.

The evening will consist of a red-carpet entrance for the young filmmakers, an engaging student-led conversation, the announcement of the winning video team from the participating community, and the premiere showing of the 15-minute “Lights, Camera, Active!” video presentation.

In addition to Hertford County, the other five participating counties and “Lights, Camera, Active!” premiere dates include: Guilford County (April 7); Craven County (April 14); Robeson County (April 21); Mecklenburg County (April 28); and Orange County (May 5).