Area students to shoot video in Sylvania for abused children

A group of area students will be busy filming a video on Main Street in downtown Sylvania on Sunday. The students are working on the film as part of the PEACE Project (Protect Every Abused Child Everywhere), in conjunction with the organization America's Pride.

The video will feature a song and new music that will be used to encourage abused young people who need assistance to seek help. America's Pride is a leading drug prevention team in the country and spreads their message by music. The video is being choreographed by Northview High School graduate Matt Williamson. 

Bill Geha, who is the intervention and prevention coordinator for Sylvania Schools, is co-founder of the local drug prevention program that was formed in 1987. Mr. Geha said the filming will feature 30 to 40 children, although the group as a whole includes many others.

“We now have locally over 1,000 kids that are part of the PEACE Project. We have kids that mentor other kids. This is all run by kids. They have actually produced 10 videos on respect.”

Main Street will be blocked off for about an hour, Mr. Geha said. He said the message of the video is crucial.

“The purpose of this video is to tell kids that they don't have to stand alone. That there's always support,” he said. He added that he had high hopes for how the video would impact people both locally and nationally.

“You know, it's interesting because, every time I do something with the PEACE Project, more kids want to join. The whole idea is, we're in the process of changing the landscape, to make it a place of respect, and the kids are doing a great job of treating other people with great care.”

Contact Kelly McLendon at: kmclendon@theblade.com or 419-206-0356 or on Twitter at @MyTownSylvania