Down East teens rap for television, radio spot

LUBEC – Teens from four Down East communities are showcased in a 30-second rap video that is being aired this month on television and radio stations around the state.

Students from Lubec, Eastport, Washington Academy in East Machias, and Cutler are featured in the rap video that reminds parents to make sure their children receive all their immunizations before they finish high school.

Lubec-based Wingstar Inc. produced the video for the State Department of Human Services’ Bureau of Health. The communications company is owned by producer Jon Wing Lum.

This is the second immunization public service announcement Lum has produced for the Bureau of Health.

He chose to work with local youth rather than going out of state to find talent.

“I thought the kids could get a chance to get on prime time TV,” Lum said Wednesday. “Maybe it will give them some confidence to keep on going and do something else.”

Lum said he wanted to represent the diverse population of Maine, while allowing students to voice their message – “Mom and Dad, have I had all my shots?” – through rap, which he said is the music of their generation.

“At the end of the first day of shooting, I told my crew, ‘These kids are so sweet,'” Lum said. The energy of the students is what made it work, he said.

Students featured in the video are: Breanne McPherson, Chelsea Hall, Logan Newman, Donna Lyons, Regina Beach, Justin Foley, Matt Haschalk, Nick Tran, Erika Govoni, Brittan Porter, Derrick Porter, Jacob Swain, Peter Rensema, Sam Hostetter, James Ramsdell, Adrianne Merritt, Harry Finn, Jessica Staggs, Jillian Yarmal and Devon Newell.