Nova Scotia miners announce winners of student video contest

The Mining Association of Nova Scotia is pleased to announce the winners of its “Mining ROCKS! Video Contest.”

“Students from across the province created incredibly clever and interesting videos about mining and quarrying,” said Sean Kirby, Executive Director of the Mining Association of Nova Scotia (MANS). “We congratulate all the students for their excellent work and thank them for participating in the contest.”

“Congratulations to all students who took part in this year’s contest, which showcases the importance of mining to our province’s economy,” said Energy and Mines Minister Derek Mombourquette. “This project helps students and adults better understand how mining contributes to job creation, opportunities for young people and a brighter future for Nova Scotia.”

The winners and runners-up of the contest are as follows.

Best High School Video

Winner: Christelinda Laureijs ($750), Homeschool, for “Times Have Changed”
1st Runner-up: Dongjia Jiang ($500) from Citadel High School for “No Picaxes. Not Disctrict 12.”
2nd Runner-up: Olivia Cook and Bella Rivard ($250) from Forest Heights, for “Pick My Mind About It”
Best Junior High Video

Winner: Katherine Sneddon-Simons and Rhianna Waligura-Newman ($750) from Gorsebrook Junior High, for “Mining’s Got Your Back”
1st Runner-up: Quleanja Laureijs ($500), Homeschool, for “Salt Mining”
2nd Runner-up: 3 WAY TIE
Madison Sanford ($83) from Gorsebrook Junior High, for “Mining Interview”
Danika Reede ($83) from Gorsebrook Junior High, for “Why Mining is Better Now”
Dante & Yanic Jirotka ($83) from Hebbville Academy, for “Mining Matters”
Best Comedy

Winner: Nicole Dion ($750) from Charles P Allen High School for “The Mining Rap”
1st Runner-up: Danika Reede ($500) from Gorsebrook Junior High for “The Mining Fairy”
2nd Runner-up: Katherine Sneddon-Simons and Rhianna Waligura-Newman ($250) from Gorsebrook Junior High for “Rock’s Got Talent”
Best 30-Second Commercial

Winner: Thomas Adams ($750) from Five Bridges Junior High for “Mining: A Modern Industry”
1st Runner-up: Dongjia Jiang ($500) from Citadel High School for “Life with Mining vs Life Without”
2nd Runner-up: Yanic Jirotka ($250) from Park View Education Centre for “Mining in Our Everyday Lives”
People’s Choice

Winner: Mikka Kaulback ($750) from Bridgewater Junior High for “My My … Mining”
1st Runner-up: Mikka Kaulback ($500) from Bridgewater Junior High for “Mining Ad”
2nd Runner-up: Dongjia Jiang ($250) from Citadel High School for “No Picaxes. Not District 12.”
The contest awarded $8000 in prizes and in its fifth year.

Nova Scotia’s mining and quarrying industry is a key creator of jobs and prosperity for Nova Scotians. It provides 5,500 jobs, mostly in rural areas, and contributes $420 million dollars to the province’s economy each year. The Ivany Commission said traditional industries like mining and quarrying “will provide the essential foundations for Nova Scotia’s rural economy.”

The list of judges is below.

The 2019 Mining ROCKS! Video Contest Judging Panel:

  1. Hon. Derek Mombourquette, Minister of Energy and Mines
  2. Bill Mills, Mayor of Truro
  3. Ernie Gilbert, Councillor, Municipality of the County of Cumberland
  4. Bill Masters, Councillor, Municipality of the County of Colchester
  5. Lloyd MacDougall, Band Manager, Acadia First Nation
  6. Barry Carroll, Chief Administrative Officer, Municipality of the District of Guysborough
  7. Cecilia Jamasmie, Editor, MINING.com
  8. Rhonda Ann MacDonald, Manager, Eastlink TV Community Programming, Halifax
  9. Patrick McCarron, IT/AV Media Services Specialist, Nova Scotia Community College
  10. Martha Cooley, Executive Director, Atlantic Filmmakers Cooperative
  11. Iain MacLeod, ad writer and marketing consultant
  12. Phil Demont, freelance business and economics reporter
  13. Jeff Newton, Past President, Mining Association of Nova Scotia