FULTON – A compelling video on teen-dating violence has made four Fulton High School students the winners of the the Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence's third Teen Dating Abuse Video Challenge.

Jamie Huennekens, 17, Kirsten Stage, 17, Brittany VanOnsten, 16, and Jana Michels, 17, created the video in their media publications class.

Verizon, which sponsored the challenge, will give each student an Apple iPad, and the school will receive $1,000.

[ Click here to see the video ]

In September, high schools throughout the state were encouraged to have their students submit a video on teen-dating violence.

"The students filmed the video in the school, and they used different video software we have in class," said Jeffrey Hoese, their media pub teacher.

The 69-second video shares the story of a girl who had problems socially and emotionally with a teenage relationship.

As the video plays, VanOnsten is seen walking around different parts of Fulton High School. Soft music plays in the background.

"We took this really seriously," Stage said. "We wanted to make a good video for the contest and let people know that this is wrong."

According to the Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence, one in 10 high school students has been purposefully hit, slapped or physically hurt by a boyfriend or girlfriend, and a quarter of high school girls have been victims of physical or sexual abuse.

"This affects a lot of people," Michels said. "People need to know about this."

Michael McMahon, director of business sales for Verizon's Illinois/Wisconsin region, said the Fulton students brought a unique perspective on dating violence.

"Their message can be very effective in getting through to their peers," McMahon said. "We are proud of their work to help make a difference at their school and in the community."

The students will be recognized during an all-school assembly at 2:30 p.m. Friday.