Spokane Valley student wins $10,000 BBB scholarship
Each year, Better Business Bureau serving the Northwest awards a $10,000 Students of Integrity Scholarship to one student in the area covering Alaska, Montana, Oregon, Idaho, Washington and Western Wyoming.
The BBB Foundation offers the Students of Integrity Scholarship to recognize high school juniors and seniors who personify and communicate ethics in the real world, as demonstrated through community service, personal integrity and academic accomplishments.
On March 15, University High School senior Cameron Blegen learned he’d won the coveted scholarship.
“We were really excited to see someone from Spokane win,” said Kirstin Davis, BBB marketplace director. “Cameron’s a great kid.He has a great attitude and is so articulate, authentic and appreciative.”
The scholarship application process was right up his alley. Applicants had to create a 90-second YouTube video that demonstrates how BBB helps people become smart consumers. Blegen has had his own YouTube channel since eighth grade and has more than 19,000 subscribers.
Students could choose from four topics:identity theft and fraud, online marketplace scams, phony online reviews or charity scams.
“We really let them have creative license,” Davis said. “That’s what we’re looking for.”
Blegen chose to make his video about phony online reviews.
“I work for an Amazon e-commerce company, doing drone product testing, operating videos and how-to videos,” he said.
He also writes product reviews, so he understands the problems caused by fake online reviews.
“I spent two-and-a-half weeks working on the video, and did 20-ish takes,” Blegen said. “I had to talk really fast!”
In the video, he identified three ways to be informed and aware of phony reviews. He said consumers should seek out verified reviews, be aware of reviews that are overly enthusiastic or overly negative and finally, investigate the reviewer.
Part of the purpose of the scholarship is to help engage and inform younger consumers. Davis said a nationwide BBB survey found the average fraud victim in the United States is aged 18-24 – a finding that disrupts the common perception that younger consumers are not vulnerable to online fraud and that only seniors fall prey to scams.
“They’ve lived their whole lives on digital devices – it’s a safe place for them,” she said. “The best way to reach this demographic is for peers to help peers.”
Ten judges narrowed down 371 applicants to 15 finalists, who were notified in February. Then it was up to the finalists to spread the word about their videos. Twenty-percent of their scores were dependent on the number of views their YouTube videos received.
“It got really competitive,” Blegen said. “It was fun watching the views go up.”
His school rallied behind him.
“This guy is a marketing genius,” U-Hi counselor Kara Twining said. “He’s also a person of integrity and faith. The kind of kid a parent wants their daughter to bring home.”
Blegen serves as the president of U-Hi’s Honor Society, leads 150 boys in his local Boy Scout Troop and earned statewide recognition in Future Business Leaders of America business ethics.
He plans to use his scholarship earnings at Montana State University this fall.
“I want to further my knowledge of drones through college,” he said. “I’m interested in how drones can be used in law enforcement or emergency responder situations. I’m really excited to use what I’ve been playing with so long for a real-world application to help people.”
His fans at U-Hi are excited to see his future unfold.
“Cameron is one of our standout students in the Class of 2017,” Twining said. “He exemplifies what 21st century learning is all about.”