Stevenson, Bartlett, Jacobs, Larkin high schools recognized

High schools in Lincolnshire, Elgin Area School District U-46 and Community Unit District 300 have been rewarded for their efforts against texting while driving.

AT&T Friday announced the winners of its “It Can Wait Campaign” aimed at educating drivers — especially teens — about the dangers of distracted driving.

Adlai E. Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire finished first at Bartlett High School finished second for the most number of text messages sent pledging to stop texting while driving. Jacobs High School in Algonquin finished third.

Stevenson spokesman Jim Conrey said the district received $2,500 from AT&T for placing first.

“We are thrilled by the award,” he said Friday morning. “The money is being put into the school activity fund and will help out our school.”

He didn’t know how many students pledged to stop texting when driving during the contest, but said Stevenson administrators and teachers have made it a priority to educate students about the dangers of texting when behind the wheel of a car.

“It is illegal to be using a cellphone in a car while on campus,” he said. “It’s been an important focus for the last couple of years ... really ever since the texting phenomenon has taken hold.”

At a special assembly Friday, Bartlett High School received a check for $1,000 for after-school programs.

“The message of ‘no texting while driving’ is important for our youngest drivers and is a reminder for all of us to be responsible when we’re behind the wheel,” U-46 Superintendent Jose Torres said in a news release.

Larkin High School in Elgin also received $1,000 for after-school programs. Larkin was entered into the draw for a prize for showing the documentary, “The Last Text,” which shows the stories of individuals whose lives are adversely affected by texting while driving.

Ÿ Daily Herald staff writer Lee Filas contributed to this story.