Clarkson Institute Announces Semifinalists of Script Competition Exclusive to Nebraska Students

Omaha, NE — Clarkson Institute, a nonprofit organization dedicated to making Nebraska the healthiest state in the nation, is excited to announce four semifinalists to its first-ever script competition focused on how always-available technologies shape the lives of young people today. The competition was launched in partnership with The Glowmedia Project.

The script competition was open exclusively to Nebraska middle and high school students (ages 13-19) through the month of September. The four semifinalists hail from:

• Auburn High School (Auburn Public Schools), Auburn
• Clarkson Public School (Clarkson Public Schools), Clarkson
• Elwood High School (Elwood Public Schools), Elwood
• Westside Middle School (Westside Community Schools/District 66), Omaha

“We are so proud of the creativity, bravery, and vision displayed by Nebraska students through these script idea submissions,” said Bill Lydiatt, MD, EMBA, CEO of Clarkson Institute. “The submissions reveal an astute, nuanced reckoning of how their ‘always-on, always-connected’ culture impacts their relationships, experiences, and worldviews. We’re committed to helping expand the conversation on youth mental health in Nebraska through this initiative and others and invite others to join us. Now is the time.”

The four semifinalists have advanced to the next step in the competition, the Script Lab, where they are working with a writing team to turn their idea into a full script. Upon its conclusion, one script will be selected to be developed into a short film, and that student and a guardian will travel to Los Angeles to be on set during filming.

This competition is the first program to launch in Clarkson Institute’s Youth Wellness Initiative, which means to engage with the growing set of behavioral health challenges youth face today—the effects of digital overuse significant among them. Addressing these challenges requires early intervention, expanded access to services, and efforts to reduce stigma and build resilience. The script competition and resulting film will be a relevant, youth-centered tool to engage in conversations about the consequences of digital overuse and the restoring balance of stepping away.

According to a Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) and Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (NDHHS) report, in 2023 more than a quarter of Nebraska high school students said they felt sad or hopeless almost every day for at least two weeks in the past year. At the same time, youth nationwide are spending more time on phones and social media than ever before, leading to increased anxiety, depression, sleep disruption, and negative self-image.

“We are thrilled to partner with Clarkson Institute on this important film project. We applaud Dr. Lydiatt and his team for taking the initiative to promote the importance of youth mental health!” said Trish Glowacki, Founder and Executive Director of Glowmedia.

Glowmedia is a nonprofit that produces short films and educational resources focused on youth mental health. By blending narrative storytelling with classroom-ready materials, they help schools, communities, and families engage in authentic conversations around emotional challenges such as anxiety, depression, peer pressure, and identity.