Courageous Persuaders Honors High School Students with Over $23,000 in Scholarships and Awards at Upcoming Celebration

TROY, MI -- May 6, 2015: The Detroit Auto Dealers Association (DADA) Education Foundation announced today that tickets are still available for its 2015 Courageous Persuaders Video Competition Awards Celebration which will be held on Wednesday, May 20, 2015 at the Emagine Theatre in Royal Oak, Michigan. The Courageous Persuaders Video Competition, now in its 15th year, recognizes high school students that take a creative approach to educate fellow students on the dangers of underage drinking. This year, Courageous Persuaders will give away over $23,000 in scholarships.

"As a parent I can't think of a more worthy initiative to support, especially one that has the potential to save children's lives," said Sam Slaughter, DADA president. "I encourage parents with teenage children to attend and not only educate themselves on the dangers of underage drinking, but learn about more creative ways to connect with their children on this important cause."

Tickets for the event, which is open to the public, are $25 for adults and $20 for 18 and under, can be purchased at the door. Huel Perkins, noted WJBK Fox2 Detroit television personality will be the emcee for the event and will be joined on the stage by many notable Michigan executives and dignitaries, including Col. Kriste Kibbey Etue, director, Michigan State Police.

Courageous Persuaders is a competition-based scholarship program that invites high school students to create a 30-second television commercial about the dangers of underage drinking. The commercials are targeted toward middle school-aged children, with the winning entries aired on television and via streaming video on CourageousPersuaders.com. The Michigan Department of State, led by Secretary of State Ruth Johnson, will also show the winning commercials in select Michigan Secretary of State (SOS) branch offices.

Winning entries are eligible for the following scholarship awards:

Grand Prize: $3,000

First Place: $1,500

Second Place: $1,000

Third Place: $500

Additionally, special awards are also presented by Courageous Persuaders partners:

State Farm Fan Favorite Award: $3,500 – a cash prize of $2,500 to the school with the most "likes" on the Courageous Persuaders YouTube Channel and $1,000 to the student/team that created the commercial

Lindsey Renee Cianciolo Family Memorial Award: $3,000 – two $1,500 Michigan-based scholarship winners

Detroit Auto Dealers Association (DADA) Award: $2,000 – presented to the commercial that best illustrates the dangers and effects of drinking and driving

Adcraft Club of Detroit Award: $2,000 – presented to the commercial that conveyed factual information about the dangers of alcohol use

Michelin Award: $2,000 – presented to the commercial that best illustrates the dangers and effects of drinking and driving

AutoTrader Award: $2,000 – presented to the commercial that best illustrates the dangers and effects of drinking and driving

Dangers of Texting While Driving Award: $1,000 – Courageous Persuaders has expanded its message to also include the dangers of texting while driving. This award is presented to the commercial that conveyed the dangers of distracted driving

State Farm Award: $1,000 - awarded to a commercial that best illustrates the dangers of drinking and driving

Wall Street Journal Courageous Leader Award: $500 – presented to a special teacher for his or her extraordinary support of the Courageous Persuaders program

College for Creative Studies Award: $250 – based on the creativity of the commercial

Winners are selected after several rounds of judging starting with a panel from the DADA that views the entries and identifies the top 60 finalists during the first round. Those entries are then reviewed by students at middle schools, who complete questionnaires to determine the final winners for each category.

State Farm, a long-time partner, will feature its driving simulator, staffed by deputies from the Michigan Sheriff's Association. The driving simulator will give participants the experience of driving drunk and the negative side effects involved.

To view the 2014 winning commercials or for information about the competition and upcoming awards celebration, visit CourageousPersuaders.com.