Spring Branch ISD Featured News

Four journalism students at Spring Woods High School in Spring Branch ISD (SBISD) were recently notified that a Public Service Announcement (PSA) video they made has won second place in the Crime Stoppers of Houston PSA Competition.

It was a last-minute challenge to create a video warning of the dangers of Fentanyl, but Senior Jahayra Dominguez, Junior Jesse Diaz, Junior Rodner Lopez, and Sophomore Maynor Alonso rose to the task, utilizing the scriptwriting, filming, and editing skills they had learned under the tutelage of Journalism teacher Joshua Ault.

“We found out about the Crime Stoppers’ PSA video competition only a week before it ended,” said Ault. “I told my students I knew they could produce some amazing videos. We had 13 finalists in the competition, and I was so proud of their work.”

Four students were honored with the second-place prize at a ceremony held at the Crime Stoppers headquarters in downtown Houston. Each recipient was presented with a Nintendo Switch Lite as part of their award.

“The winning team put in a lot of hard work and dedication,” said Ault. “Along with using the skills they learned in class, this project also conveyed a very important message about the dangers of Fentanyl.”

Their award-winning video features a young woman whose brother overdosed on Fentanyl. The compelling narrative, eye-catching camera angles, heartwarming images from the past, and dramatic lighting combine to send a powerful message about the devastating effects of Fentanyl, not only on the victim but also on loved ones.

“Congratulations on this outstanding achievement,” said Kaitlynn Fey, Manager of the Safe School Institute at Crime Stoppers of Houston. “Their creativity, talent, and dedication truly shone through in their submission.”

Additional Crime Stoppers PSA videos made by the other 12 teams of students in Mr. Ault’s class are also well done and can be viewed here. Each video submitted to the contest features the catchphrase, #PreventtoProtect: a message that will be in the minds of these creative students as they help spread the word about avoiding the dangerous use of Fentanyl.

Creating videos with powerful messaging for the community embodies all of the SBISD Core Characteristics of a T-2-4 Graduate:

• Academically Prepared
• Ethical & Service-minded
• Empathetic & Self-aware
• Persistent & Adaptable
• Resourceful Problem-solver
• Communicator & Collaborator

Congratulations to the winning team, to all the SWHS Journalism students who participated in the contest, and to Joshua Ault for supporting this inspiring work. #SBISDProud.

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🎉🏆 Big news! Four SBISD journalism students from Spring Woods High clinched second place in the Crime Stoppers of Houston PSA Competition! Their video on Fentanyl dangers wowed judges. Kudos to Jahayra Dominguez, Jesse Diaz, Rodner Lopez and Maynor Alonso for their outstanding work, earning the SWHS Journalism department a $2,500 prize! #PreventtoProtect #SBISDProud 📽️