FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sparklight Partners with Rim Country Middle School to Promote Healthy Social Media Habits
September 4, 2024 – PAYSON, Ariz. – Sparklight®, a leading broadband communications provider, is partnering with Rim Country Middle School on an essay contest to promote healthy social media habits. The contest will provide the school’s 500+ students the opportunity to learn about internet safety, refine their writing skills and win a cash prize donated by Sparklight.
The “How can kids/teens develop healthy social media habits” essay contest begins the first week of September under the guidance of the school’s English-Language Arts (ELA) instructors. Students will prepare a five-paragraph essay, integrating research and evidence to substantiate their ideas. Submissions will be evaluated against Rim Country Middle School’s Informational Writing Rubric, with first-place ($100 prize) and runner-up ($50 prize) winners for each grade selected by the ELA Department. Sparklight, the title sponsor of Payson Days, will announce and present the awards on October 12 during the event.
“Sparklight is proud to partner with our hardworking educators on this initiative,” said Sparklight’s Payson-area Marketing Director David Williams. “This contest encourages critical thinking on the important topics of internet safety, online interactions and responsible posting. As students spend more and more time on these platforms, this experience can help them gain practical ideas – and share with their friends and families.”
“This is an ideal opportunity for students to think about social media habits that are healthy for themselves and their peers,” said Rim Country Middle School Language Arts teacher Gail Wade, who is coordinating the contest. “Not only will students enhance their writing skills through their essays, but they will also glean insights on positive online behavior that are essential for academic and life success. This topic aligns with our school's goal of encouraging students to engage with technology responsibly and using it to help others. We are thrilled to have an internet provider like Sparklight, who understands these objectives, supporting this contest.”
Over the last three years, Sparklight has invested more than $27 million in the Payson area, building a state-of-the-art network designed to meet the long-term needs of its residents and businesses. The prize donation is an extension of Sparklight’s neighborly support for its local communities. Sparklight also recently donated $5,000 to the Rim County Rotary Foundation’s Payson Area Food Drive through its Charitable Giving Fund.
For more information about Sparklight services, community investments and charitable activities, visit www.sparklight.com or follow Sparklight on Facebook, Instagram and X.
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About Sparklight
Sparklight® is a leading broadband communications provider and part of the Cable One family of brands, which serves more than 1 million residential and business customers across 24 states. Powered by a fiber-rich network, Sparklight provides consumers with a wide array of connectivity and entertainment services, including high-speed internet and advanced WiFi solutions, cable television and phone service. Sparklight Business provides scalable and cost-effective products for businesses ranging in size from small to mid-market, in addition to enterprise, wholesale and carrier customers.
CONTACT:
Jamie O’Driscoll
Communications Manager