Post Falls student wins video contest
Jordan Neilson of Post Falls High School took first place in the “Thru the Trees: Careers in Forestry.”
A Post Falls High School student took first place in the "Thru the Trees” video production competition for high school students.
The event challenged students from Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington to create a video highlighting the value of careers in the forest products industry.
Jordan Neilson placed first with her 89-second video about careers in forestry and received $1,000.
It shows her having a conversation with her father, as he asks why she is spending so much time on her phone.
"Dad, I’m doing research on Timber," she said, explaining it is an app she created in computer class to help students like her find careers in forestry.
Her father objects, saying, "You're not ending up like your cousin the logger. He just got the ax."
She says, "Funny dad. Not all careers in forestry involve harvesting trees."
"Here, check out the app," she says as she hands him her phone.
For instance, there is a category, "Forest Manager."
"There are lots of female forest managers who manage prescribed burning, thinning, harvesting and planting to improve the health and productivity of a forest," Neilson says.
Forest Pathologist "could be the woman that works to find the cases of tree diseases that threaten our forests."
And a GIS professional involves a career "that helps map out forests to track and manage environmental changes and analyzes data."
Forestry jobs can start out in the range of $60,000 to $80,000, Neilson says.
"Use the app," she says to her dad. "Just be sure to 'log out' when you're done."
Second Place — Team: Tressa Geyer and Zoey Brot won $500 for “Landslide Specialists in Forestry," Pleasant Hill High School, Oreg.
Third Place (Tie) – Team: Alicia Gordon and Lucas Forshee
“Thru the Trees 2020: Alicia Gordon and Lucas Forshee” Waldport High School, Ore.; Aiden Shamek, "Fire Prevention,," Sweet Home High School, Ore. Each Awarded $250
Video entries were judged based on (1) how well the video highlighted a forest career, (2) accuracy of the content, (3) extent of excitement and inspiration, (4) degree of ingenuity and resourcefulness, and (4) the number of references used.
Participating industry organizations from Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington joined together to develop the contest to promote and encourage students’ consideration of careers in the forest products industry.