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Students recognized for Phone Away & Learn public service announcements; district to pilot program
Summary
The district announced winners of a student PSA contest tied to its Phone Away & Learn Today campaign and said it will pilot the program in select schools this semester.
Washoe County School District on Jan. 14 showcased student entries and announced winners of the "Phone Away & Learn Today" public service announcement contest, part of a district‑led pilot to reduce classroom phone distractions.
Deputy Superintendent Tiffany McMaster and Michelle Anderson, the district’s chief communications and community engagement officer, introduced the contest results and said the campaign — launched Jan. 6 — will return to the board with a pilot update in the spring.
Nut Graf: The campaign asked students districtwide to create short videos or digital posters explaining how putting phones away during instructional time improves learning. District staff said student voices are central to the communications plan and five winning entries will be featured on the district’s and participating schools’ channels.
Winners and notable entries
- Incline Middle School: Isabella Buscana Fernandez — a bilingual PSA in English and Spanish produced by the school’s broadcast exploratory students.
- Academy of Arts, Careers and Technology (AACT): Team entry by Gavin Cates, Jack Egan, Eric Engel‑Key, Sonia Gustafson and Geo Whitty — a sound‑driven visual PSA produced with guidance from their video production teacher.
- Wooster High School: Madeline Fisher — a student entry submitted in English and Spanish to reach a large Spanish‑speaking population at Wooster.
- Spanish Springs High School: Sofia Anderson — a graphic entry from the school’s photography class.
- Reno High School: Team entry by Lipa Echigoin, Colin Pilcher, BB Slater and Sofia Valdez — a sound and visual PSA.
Michelle Anderson said winning entries will be posted on the district website and social channels; she also noted a community sponsor, Scheels, provided gift cards for the student winners. The district recorded appreciation for teachers and principals who supported the student work.
Ending: The district said it will report back to the board in the spring with results from the Phone Away & Learn pilot and invited the public to view all student submissions at www.washoschools.net/cellphones.
