Remember that super duper awesome video contest thing we did last summer? I do, because it was the highlight of last summer. This year's contest underwent a small renaming (thanks, fabulous summer admissions interns for coming up with such a fabulous naming) but it's still the same awesome contest: Demonstrate, in 60 seconds or fewer, the enthusiasm you have for Oberlin.
A simple prompt with infinite interpretations, right? That's why I love it so much and the '16 kids truly delivered this year. Without further ado, here are our winners:
First place: Leaving for Lorain, by Anders Villalta
Let's put my love for stop motion animation aside for a moment... but Anders' video is so much more than that! It's part college packing list, part personal introduction, and part adorableness. Sheer brillance.
Second place: Call Me Obie, by B.J. Tindal
I got B.J.'s video entry while I was far away from a stable internet connection, but I was sent a message telling me that I had to see it. Soooo I tracked down some intertubez and watched it. And much like the original song, after one listen I couldn't get it out of my head. B.J., if you have additional lyrics, we would love to hear them!
Third place: Forecast for September: Oberlin, by Kaia Austin
Okay, this video is incredible. Kaia, I have no idea how long this took you from start to finish, but let me tell you, you have the potential of at least four orders for an Oberlin sweater from my coworkers (and me) if you plan on making more.
And here are the seven additional videos that rounded out our top ten:
Explaining Oberlin to Friends and Family, by Becky Berenbon
This video just resonates with me. I heard all these things and way more (like, "What instrument do you play?" and "Oh, I didn't realize that you were going to Germany for college") when I began telling people where I was going to school.
Feelin Obiexcitement, by Leal Carter
I love finding letters in their natural habitats. And I love finding Oberlin in nature. Clearly, I love this video.
OBErLIN, by Joseph Gonzales-Dones
Continuing with the Oberlin in nature theme. Scientific sidenote: famous Oberlin chemist? Charles Martin Hall! He's awesome because he discovered a cheap and efficient way to extract aluminum ore (right here in his Oberlin lab!). In addition to his amazing discovery and contribution to the world, we can thank him for such things as Hall Auditorium, the existence of Tappan Square as we know it, and for being Oberlin's most generous benefactor to date.
I Swear She's A Squirrel, by Alexandra Kahn
This is video one of two videos we received where someone tried to make an albino squirrel out of something that was not an albino squirrel. Personally, I love it. And all those drawings are incredible!
What A Wonderful Oberlin :D, by Sarah Mills
Big envelope! Oberlin! My favorite part of this video is the perspective... I wish I had thought of that!
Oberlin Class of 2016 ObiEager Video Contest!, by Cheyenne Rubin
If you needed about 100 reasons to be excited about Oberlin, here they are in 60 seconds.
Squirrel Envy, by Anna Rubenstein
The second of two videos that desired a white squirrel in their lives. This video makes me go "Awwwww" every time I watch it, and note to all you incoming students: bringing stuffed animals to college is the best idea ever.
With last year and this year's video contests, I am quite outwardly expressive of my adoration for our incoming class. As an alum, I'm so proud of welcoming all our new students to the family, and this is such a fabulous introduction to the new talents, creativities, and interests of our new Obies. Get here already!
