Video fades to light blue gradient background with NAD logo in full color in the center, black text appears below logo “National Association of the Deaf.” Video transitions to white then to the same blue gradient background. There is a small YAP logo in full color on the bottom left and a small white NAD logo on the bottom right. Alim Chandani and Renca Dunn stands together, facing the camera. Their lower third ID appears in blue text in front of them:
Alim Chandani (white text)
YAP Co-Director (blue text)
Renca Dunn (white text)
YAP Co-Director (blue text)
ALIM: Hi everyone! Renca and I are very excited about the upcoming Youth Ambassador Program (YAP) competition in July 2014.
RENCA: We want to remind you that the YAP competition welcomes both men and women from 18 to 30 to participate! You have a chance of winning $10,000 cash prizes – $5,000 for each winning ambassador. Wow!
ALIM: For more information on how to apply, eligibility requirements, and the process of the competition, please look at our webpage: www.nad.org/yap.
White text appears on screen: www.nad.org/yap.
RENCA: The purpose of this video is to explain what each round will look like, rounds 1 – 5. If you have any more questions or concerns, please email us at nadyap (at) nad (dot) org.
White text appears on screen: nadyap (at) nad (dot) org.
RENCA: We are looking forward to receiving your application!
Video transitions to white then to the same blue gradient background with Renca standing alone, facing the camera.
RENCA: ROUND 1: THE APPLICATION AND VIDEO SUBMISSION.
Round 1 focuses on two things. First, the application. Go ahead and look at the NAD website where it has the application information and general steps, including application questions and agreement form. Second, you must send a video up to 3 minutes of what ideas, issues, or passion you recognize that we have in our community, including solutions that will make an impact on our community. Here’s an example: in America, a high percent of deaf and hard of hearing individuals have a hard time finding employment, what are the suggested solutions? Another example, deaf and hard of hearing athletes want to be involved in sports with hearing athletes, however, deaf and hard of hearing athletes confront challenges of noise-based starters. Also, another example, raise awareness through documentary films such as American Sign Language (ASL). We encourage you to bring forth various ideas and challenges you would like to share within our community. Those are just some ideas.
A video can be done by yourself, you filming a proposed idea through pictures and/or stories, or you can film another person presenting the idea. It is important that it is about your idea or passion, as well as providing an explanation on why you have chosen that particular idea or why you are passionate about it. It’s just a simple three-minute video.
The contestants are required to send in their applications and video submissions. The NAD YAP Committee will review all applications and select the applicants based on the eligibility requirements. From there, accepted applicants will move on to round two.
Video transitions to white then to the same blue gradient background with Alim standing alone, facing the camera.
ALIM: ROUND 2: SEVEN-DAY CHALLENGE.
After meeting all the criteria of Round 1, applicants will enter Round 2, the seven-day challenge. For this round, the NAD YAP Committee will hand the contestants a challenge for them to accomplish within seven days in their local community. Possible challenges include visiting a local deaf and hard of hearing office in your city, meeting with the mayor of your city, hosting a small fundraiser to support a good cause, or finding potential inventors to support your vision. There will be a variety of challenges and we will inform you of the challenges as time gets closer.
Why is this round important? It is to support the vision – visibility, innovation, sustainability (VIS) – of this program. This round is to make your idea visible in your community, show your passion, and/or ideas to the community and make sure they are aware about your social issue, and receive community support towards your idea.
Another important part of this round is that you need to find your own sponsor before entering Round 3. Why do you need a sponsor? It is an opportunity for you to receive support while you compete and being able to have a mentor throughout the competition.
So, again, Round 2 requires two things, completing challenges within seven days and finding a sponsor. If you meet all the criteria of Round 2, you will enter Round 3.
Video transitions to white then to the same blue gradient background with Renca standing alone, facing the camera.
RENCA: ROUND 3: THE RETREAT AND PRIVATE INTERVIEWS.
Round 3 will have qualified contestants from Round 2. Round 3 will take place in Atlanta, Georgia, where the NAD Conference will happen. The retreat will be three days long, right before the NAD Conference. What will the contestants do during the three-day retreat? The retreat will have different kinds of workshops and training sessions about various tasks that the contestants will do and work together. Not only will the retreat happen, but also there will be private interviews with selected judges for the contestants will go through.
The contestants will be evaluated based on their teamwork, commitment, loyalty, interactive skills, communication skills, listening skills, as well as how they work together as a whole and your adaptive skills. The quality of your private interview responses will be evaluated also.
The judges will determine who will enter Round 4.
Video transitions to white then to the same blue gradient background with Renca standing alone, facing the camera.
RENCA: ROUND 4: THE BATTLE.
The contestants from Round 3 will move into Round 4. Rounds 4 and 5 will happen live, on-stage, during the NAD Conference. Contestants will focus on responding to on-the-spot questions asked by the judges. It gives the contestants an opportunity to be on-stage and handle various questions by the judges.
Why The Battle? Questions will apply to real-life situations. For example, if you become the next ambassador, you will be traveling within the United States, plus possibly overseas, and give presentations at various events with different groups of individuals.
The Battle will reflect on how the contestants can respond to on-the-spot questions by the judges. And, guess what!? The audience gets to vote!
Qualified contestants from Round 4 will enter Round 5.
Video transitions to white then to the same blue gradient background with Alim standing alone, facing the camera.
ALIM: ROUND 5: THE GRAND FINALE.
This is the final round, where qualified contestants from Round 1 have made it through. Based on the audience’s votes and the judges’ scores, the top 4 (2 males and 2 females) will move into this final round. In this round, the contestants will have the opportunity to share their proposed idea through a performance or presentation, on stage.
Also, the contestants will share their overall experience in addressing a social issue, doing research on the identified issue, creating solutions, and developing plans to make it sustainable.
Round 5 will happen on-stage and the judges will select the top two winners, and recognize them as the NAD Youth Ambassadors. Again, one will be a male and another one will be a female.
Video fades to the same soft blue and white background with the NAD logo centered. Black text below the logo appears, “A production of The National Association of the Deaf (copyright) 2013 All rights reserved.”