Jennifer Whipp says when she thinks of world hunger, she feels optimistic, not sad.

The Grade 8 student at Muskoka Beechgrove Public School put everything she knew about hunger into a video — a video that just won a national contest.

Judges with the Canadian Hunger Foundation’s (CHF) media literacy contest chose Whipp’s video titled Why Not Make a Difference? as the best submission from an elementary school student among thousands across the country.

Sandra Kiviaho, the foundation’s global education manager, said it was the positive clear message in Whipp’s video that won her the title.

“Every time I watch Jennifer’s video, I feel so enthused and passionate and energized,” Kiviaho said.

The contest, the first of its kind for CHF, was aimed at helping youth learn about world poverty, Kiviaho said. “We wanted them to see the strengths in rural communities rather than just the needs,” she said.

Whipp, 13, said she knew very little about world hunger when she started the project last fall.

“I’ve learned so much. Winning the contest is amazing, but having an idea what it’s like for others, and how people like me can help, is just as amazing,” she said.

Whipp spent about six hours compiling images and video from CHF, and put it to music with her positive messages using a movie maker computer program to create the 2-1/2-minute video.

“I love making little movies,” she said. She is currently directing a global warming video for the Beechgrove Elementary Team that will be aired before the school’s student body in May, she added.

“I really wanted to get the message out that it’s really hard there in Third World countries. I wanted people to pay attention and do their best to make donations to help CHF and the people who need it.”

She will also be attending a media fair through Trillium Lakelands District School Board where her video will be shared with a group of close to 20 teachers.

Principal Larry Corry said the project promoted student engagement, instructional technology and real-world application, and increased student awareness of worldwide issues.

“We are all thrilled for Jennifer and (teacher) Jason Ferris and their accomplishments in incorporating higher level thinking,” Corry said.

Whipp won a digital camera and editing program. Judges also chose her video as one of five to be entered into a People’s Choice contest, underway now. Visit www.chf.ca\medialiteracy to vote for Whipp’s video before the contest ends June 14.