Calling all Guilford youth younger than 18! The Developmental Assets for Youth (DAY) is currently seeking web videos to show the life of today's Guilford youth. The 2012 Positively Guilford Video Competition encourages young residents to create their very own videos, showcasing what it's truly like to grow up in Guilford.

DAY Co-Chair Lisa Ott, who is spearheading the project, said the idea came about through conversation among DAY's youth members.

"We have always worked really hard to get as many ideas from the kids as we can and our youth Co-Chairs Michael Albergo [a GHS junior] and Yuning Zhang [a GHS senior] were brainstorming with some of the other adult members of DAY and came up with this idea," Ott said. "I'm really excited about it."

With a submission deadline of July 1, Ott said she has already received some videos and is looking forward to more flowing in.

Those who participate in the competition can work alone or on teams and are allowed to submit one or even multiple videos. Entries submitted must be less than 12 minutes, be appropriate and not exhibit dangerous behavior, and be designed for use at any public building in town.

Ott said that this will give children and young adults an opportunity to be imaginative and show off their own creative talents while creating their unique, personal stories about growing up and residing in Guilford.

"Really, we want just to give kids an opportunity to express themselves creatively and show the adults in town what it's like to be growing up in Guilford," she said. "They can even show some of their talents through this process."

The videos will be judged on creativity, message clarity and relevance, motivation and inspiration, and overall impact. Categories include best "wow" factor, best young team (chosen from the five youngest), funniest, best use of the town of Guilford, and best message to the teens/middle school-aged students about positive peer influence.

Those who win the competition out of the categories above will earn prizes. The first prize will be for the video with the best "wow" factor of $250. The rest of the four categories will receive a cash price of $50.

"We will have some special prizes...but the big prize is to just show us your best video work," Ott stated.

Participants in the 2012 Positively Guilford Video Competition must submit a signed entry form to Youth & Family Services at 36 Graves Avenue; the form is also available on the town's website, www.ci.guilford.ct.us. To submit an entry, email guilfordday@gmail.com. The winners of the contest will be contacted and asked to mail a copy of the video as a DVD.