Middletown Students Win Video Contest On Gun Violence

MIDDLETOWN, CT — A trio of Mercy High School juniors were awarded the grand prize in 'The Sisters of Mercy of the Americas Social Justice Video Contest.'

The video contest featured entries from around the world.

Juniors Emma Lemieux, Maggie Mishbach and Georgina Baldini won 'The Sisters of Mercy of the Americas Sixth Annual Social Justice Video Contest' grand prize.

The video’s title by the juniors was “Are You With Us?” It deals with the trauma of school lockdowns caused by mass shootings.

The video contest was launched in 2017 to connect high school and college students at Sisters of Mercy-sponsored schools with the Critical Concerns of the congregation. Submissions for the 2023 contest were limited to one of two topics, advocacy or gun violence.

“Our grand prize winners this year, and many of the other entries, address issues that are so prevalent in our societies: gun violence and racism,” Mike Poulin said, Justice Resource Manager for the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas. “In their 90-second videos, these students did an excellent job examining difficult topics from a youthful, Mercy-inspired perspective,”

The Mercy Team and Holy Cross High School in Mindanao, Philippines, shared the grand prize. In addition, junior Ana Sophia Butkus was recognized with an honorable mention for her video submission.