platinum piaTeen Central at Grand Central Library partnered with Yianni Stamas and Lights, Camera, Read to create Digital Communication Arts projects aimed at bettering and bringing awareness to the New York City community and beyond. Teens and NYC youth participated in this year long program. We'd like to acknowledge the three Platinum Pia winners who also injected themselves into the life and culture at Teen Central.

Digital Communication Arts Platinum PIA

The Digital Communication Arts PIA, also known as the DigiComArts PIA, is given to the individual who excels at creating a digital project in the DigiComArts workshop series at the New York Public Library and other venues.

The topic for 2012 was anti-bullying. A highlight in the build to the PIAs was an address by bullying survivor and "American Idol" contestant Shacara Maclaurin to one of the workshop groups.

The Digital Communication Arts PIA winner for 2012 is Luke Grant for his animatic short "Who's the Real Bully."

Luke Grant was a senior at Art & Design High School when he completed the “Who’s the Real Bully” project. In addition to being an excellent artist, Mr. Grant is developing his skills as a writer. He is also a curious, concerned and caring member of his and the Teen Central community.

Born in Jamaica, he now resides in Brooklyn, New York with his family. Mr. Grant plans to attend BMCC in the fall.

Lights Camera Read Platinum PIA

The Lights Camera Read PIA is granted for the best story submitted by kids and teens to the Magic Neighbors Troupe, a children’s literacy theater company.

The 2011 Platinum PIA award winning story was performed for children at the Morrisania branch of the New York Public Library in the Bronx.

The winner of the 2012 Lights Camera Read Platinum PIA is Jasmine Grant for her story "Lawrence, Lawrence You're Ugly."

Jasmine Grant is a sensitive, careful and prolific writer. She graduated from DeWitt Clinton High School and is now majoring in Liberal Arts at the New York City College of Technology. She also participates in the Year Up program which is designed to give young people exposure and experience in the business world. Jasmine lives and grew up in the Bronx.

Media Space NYC Platinum PIA

Media Space NYC is a network of over 80 blogs and publications committed to spreading positive and exciting stories about the human experience. The nominees are the young journalists who write these articles. The Media Space NYC PIA winner for 2012 is Sean Mac Queen for his interview of Justin Tuck, of the New York Giants.

Sean describes himself as a graphic designer, animator, sketch artist, video editor, comedian, and actor. A graduate of TCI (College of Technology) in New York, he lives in Queens and worked on the Lights Camera Read project.

Yianni and I really thank these young people for the contributions they made, for the wonderful experience we had getting to know them and hope they will keep in touch. We believe each of them will continue to do great things and wish them the best.