Student's Rap About Nature Wins Video Contest
November 18, 2010 - News Release
A University of Guelph student's rap video about nature has captured top prize in the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society's video contest.
David Lawless won the 2010 national Celebrate Parks Video Contest with his Tales From da Trailz video featuring Newfoundland’s Gros Morne National Park, where he worked this past summer as an interpreter.
“While I was there, I fell in love with Newfoundland’s culture and natural beauty,” said the third-year ecology student. “I have always wanted to let my friends know how special Gros Morne is but never really had the opportunity. When I saw that the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society was running a contest to showcase Canada’s national parks, I knew it would be a way to let others discover how spectacular Gros Morne is.”
Created along with his friend George Woodhouse, the video features Woodhouse rapping throughout the park. Their effort beat out 90 other entries.
Lawless, who filmed and wrote the music for the video, spent two months hiking 150 kilometres of the park’s trails and wilderness to capture some of Gros Morne’s most remote areas on video.
Contestants were required to submit a two-minute video about their favourite national park. The contest ran from July to October and received more than 30,000 visits to the website. More than 7,000 votes were cast, with Lawless and Woodhouse’s video capturing an overwhelming majority.
The grand prize is a trip along the Nahanni River in the Northwest Territories. Their video will appear at the Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival in February.
“I am ecstatic that we’ll be spending 10 days paddling the legendary Nahanni River, which is known to be one of the best places in the world for river trips,” said Lawless, who grew up in Owen Sound. “I am also honoured to have had a chance to share my passion and love for Canada’s national parks with the entire country.”
For media questions, contact Communications and Public Affairs: Lori Bona Hunt, 519-824-4120, Ext. 53338, or lhunt@uoguelph.ca, or Deirdre Healey, Ext. 56982 or dhealey@uoguelph.ca.
