In sixty seconds could you change the way someone felt about tobacco use, distracted driving, or bullying?

That’s the challenge Lincoln County teens face in the Teen2Teen VidFest, sponsored by Lincoln County Health Literacy Partnership (LCHLP) comprised of Lincoln County Healthcare, Skidompha Library, Lincoln Home and Spectrum Generations. Last year LCHLP sponsored the Senior Games at the Central Lincoln County Y, and in 2011 it hosted Joel Fuhrman, MD, award-winning author of “Eat to Live.”

This year LCHLP is focusing on the youth in Lincoln County.

“Lincoln County has the highest rate of teen smoking in the state,” says Orion Breen, a Teen2Teen VidFest organizer who is working on a Community Transformation Grant with Lincoln County Healthcare on the issue. “It’s one thing for parents and teachers to promote healthy behaviors, but teens connecting with teens is the best way to get positive messages heard and acted upon.”

Anyone ages 13-19 who attends middle school, high school or is schooled at home in Lincoln County is eligible to submit a 15, 30, or 60 second public service announcement that gets the attention of teens, makes them think about their own actions, and helps them change what they’re doing around tobacco use, distracted driving, or bullying.

On Monday, May 6 at 7 p.m., semifinalist videos will be screened at the Lincoln Theatre in Damariscotta and cash prizes will be awarded with first place receiving $1,000, second place $500, and third place $250. The event will be free and open to all, and those in attendance will vote for a separate Audience Award of $100.

Entries must be received no later than 4 p.m. on Friday. April 19 at: Lincoln County Healthcare Education Center, Attn: T2T VidFest, 66A Chapman St., Damariscotta, ME 04543.

Anyone wishing to receive contest rules or has questions can contact orion.breen@lchcare.org or call 207-563-4811. More info can be found online at www.facebook.com/truthlinc and on Twitter @truthlinc/.