South High School sophomore takes top prize for depression video

Ariel Yeni, a South High School sophomore, was a first-place winner in an annual public service announcement video contest for high school students in Nassau County. He was congratulated by, from left: Gail DeSibio, vice president of sponsor Suffolk County National Bank; Mayor Ed Fare, Ariel’s teacher at South High; Linda Mangano; Matilda Cuomo; Eleonara Yeni, Ariel’s mother; County Executive Edward Mangano and Elizabeth Custodio, also vice president of SCNB.

Courtesy VSCHSD

Ariel Yeni, a sophomore at South High School, was awarded a first-place prize for a 30-second video he made about depression. The video was entered into a county-wide contest for public service announcements created by high school students.

Yeni created the video, “The Right Decision,” in Mayor Ed Fare’s video technology class in the fall. The piece underscored the struggle faced by those who suffer from depression, shared resources and sought to raise awareness about the topic. It won one of four categories.

The contest is hosted each year by County Executive Ed Mangano and coordinated by his wife, Linda. A ceremony to recognize the winners was held at the Theodore Roosevelt Executive and Legislative Building in Mineola on April 20. Matilda Cuomo, Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s mother, spoke at the event.