A Williamsport Area High School video produced to help raise awareness on mental health stigmas and suicide prevention received first place for the fourth consecutive year in a recent statewide PSA contest conducted by Prevent Suicide Pa.

The video, created by members of the high school’s Students Against Destructive

Decisions (SADD) Club, earned the top spot in the 60-second category through online votes

received from both students and the broader public.

The high school’s winning video tells the story of a student, played by Zion Hughes, who

shares his struggles on social media. Another student sees the message and alerts the school

counselor, who steps in to offer support. After speaking with his counselor, the video ends with

Hughes appearing better mentally as he plays basketball in the gym with his friend.

Those responsible for the video are SADD Club members, Hughes, Colyn Jandrisavitz,

Kyra Lichtenfels, and Isabella Newcomer, with production assistance from Greg Hayes, the

district’s public relations director.

“I’m incredibly proud of our students for using their voices and creativity to tackle such

an important issue,” said Jeremy Steppe, the club’s advisor. “Winning this award for the fourth

year in a row speaks to their dedication, but more importantly, it shows their commitment to

making a real difference. This video is a powerful reminder of the role we all play in supporting

one another, and I couldn’t be more impressed by their work.”

The club’s winning work will be honored with an on-field ceremony this spring at either

a Pittsburgh Pirates or Philadelphia Phillies game.

The aim of the annual contest is to empower and give rise to youth voices in the

prevention conversation using “new and creative ways to share resources with our communities,”

according to Prevent Suicide Pa.

To view the high school’s video, visit www.wasd.org or https://psa.preventsuicidepa.org/.

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