For Immediate Release:  May 18, 2022

Contact: Kristin Withrow
info@districtsmakethedifference.org

PENDLETON HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT WINS 2ND PLACE SCHOLARSHIP IN NATIONAL VIDEO CONTEST

Julianne Elizabeth Jones, a student from Pendleton High School in Umatilla County, recently won second place in the 2022 Districts Make the Difference Student Video Contest. The national contest encourages high school students to learn about the local governments that provide their families essential services such as water, electricity, fire protection, wastewater, garbage removal, and more.

Students were challenged to make a video of less than 60 seconds that would raise awareness and understanding of the special districts that serve communities and regions across the country. Special districts are local governments that are formed, owned, and governed by a community to specialize in meeting a specific local need. The video contest is organized annually by Districts Make the Difference, the public outreach campaign launched by the National Special Districts Coalition (NSDC).

Julianne will receive a $1,000 scholarship for her video submission! In addition, she nominated Melissa Smith to receive an additional prize of $500 to put towards her teacher’s wish list so she can continue to make a difference in the lives of her students.

“We appreciate each of the videos that were submitted from across the country,” said NSDC Board Member Neil McCormick. “It is rewarding to see students learning about special districts and the impact districts have on communities. Congratulations to each of the scholarship recipients.”

With many entries from 14 separate states received this year, it was a tough competition for all who entered. Initial entries were scored by NSDC officials based on accuracy, video quality, and entertainment value. The ten videos with the highest overall scores were posted on the Districts Make the Difference Website for public voting to determine the three winners.

To see all the winning videos and to learn more about all special districts, visit DistrictsMaketheDifference.org.

Districts Make the Difference is a public outreach campaign funded by the National Special Districts Coalition to raise awareness and understanding for special districts. The coalition was formed to support special districts and promote good governance and improved core local services for all types of independent special districts.