Fame for giving school a good rap

The video by Phu, a Watertown High senior, was chosen as one of 10 finalists from over 600 entries in a US Department of Education contest on the importance of getting an education.

Riffing off a challenge issued in September by President Obama to America’s students to take responsibility for their education, the contest called for two-minute videos on the theme “I Am What I Learn.’’

Phu wrote and performed “Education Means Everything,’’ about how school has prepared him for the military and urges others to take school seriously.

Though he was disappointed not to be among the three winners, which were chosen by popular vote last week, Phu said, he has enjoyed the ride.

“It was definitely worth doing,’’ Phu said.

Vera Ventura, who teaches Phu’s Interactive Journalism class at Watertown High, saw the contest as a challenging way to get students motivated to develop their electronic storytelling skills.

“I thought it would be a wonderful introduction to the semester,’’ she said. “It’s not only learning skills or how to make videos; there’s a very specific purpose.’’

Without any previous efforts at video production, Phu teamed with classmate James Dunoyer, an aspiring film editor with experience using editing software and equipment, who helped Phu take his words and music and synchronize them with video and effects. The pair spent hours in the town’s cable television production studio working on the video after school.

Dunoyer, who makes skateboarding videos for fun, said he didn’t know Phu well before the project and was especially impressed with his talent. “The lyrics, the beats in the background - it’s all good,’’ he said.

Phu said life has gotten a lot more hectic since the contest.

State education officials visited Phu’s class earlier this month, and he screened the video at the Watertown School Committee meeting on Monday. With classmates and staff stopping him in the hallways, and parents of his friends, and even customers at the CVS in Watertown Square where he works after school, all offering their support, Phu said the attention caught him off guard. “I didn’t expect it to be something this big.’’

Sitting in his room, lined with Bruce Lee and Navy warship posters, in the Lexington Gardens apartment complex where he lives with his parents and older sister, Phu said he started making music in his freshman year, shortly after a longstanding passion for karate, in which he is a certified black belt, started to cool. “I listen to everything, but my favorite is hip-hop.’’

Phu started writing songs on his laptop and trying to learn audio recording and editing programs. His efforts were so low key that his family didn’t even realize what he was up to for some time.

“He kept secret. He doesn’t tell me,’’ said his mother.

Mindful of the military’s exacting requirements about neatness and presentation, Phu said, he’s also been practicing folding his clothes and making his bed properly.

“I’m really happy he chose the right thing to do,’’ his mother said.

In August, he’s off to Navy boot camp in Illinois. Phu hopes to pursue a career as an advanced electronics technician, operating and managing communication and radar equipment on warships.

While many other seniors are fretting about where they’ll be next year, Phu said he can’t wait to get on with the next chapter of his life.

“Because I have a plan, something to look forward to, I can’t wait to go,’’ said Phu. “I count down the months.’’

You think it’s easy, right? Just brush through school and things will come with time. Well, guess what: things don’t work that way, You gotta give it all you got, kid, starting today.

Kevin Phu’s video can be seen at www.ed.gov/iamwhatilearn.