National mental wellness organization ThriveWay announced today that Hemphill Elementary School is the Overall Winner of its 2025–2026 Acts of Service Contest, awarding the school with $1,000 for its powerful, student-created project, “Dangers of the Group Chat.”
The program recognizes student-led initiatives that are transforming school culture across the country. This year’s contest received more than 90 submissions, with $5,000 in prize money awarded to help schools expand and strengthen their Peer Helpers PLUS programs.
At Hemphill Elementary, students tackled a real and relevant issue—gossip, exclusion, and peer pressure in group chats—by creating a video that spoke directly to their peers. Using relatable scenarios and authentic student voice, Peer Helpers modeled positive choices like respectful communication, standing up for others, and knowing when to disengage.
The results were immediate and impactful:
A noticeable decrease in group chat-related conflicts
Increased empathy and accountability among students
More students seeking help and supporting one another
Peer Helpers extended their impact beyond the video through the Bison Besties program, building relationships with younger students, encouraging attendance, and fostering a stronger sense of belonging across campus.
“This wasn’t just a project—it was a cultural shift driven by students,” said Allison Moore, Co-Founder and President of ThriveWay. “It is incredibly rewarding to see the level of investment, compassion, and positive energy students are bringing to their schools. What started here in Alabama is now spreading across the country—from Mississippi to Illinois, Texas, New Jersey, and California—and the impact continues to grow.”
The Peer Helpers PLUS program, created by ThriveWay, is an evidence-based, peer-to-peer prevention and support program that equips students to recognize when a classmate is struggling, respond with compassion, and connect them to help.
What began in Alabama has grown into a national movement—empowering students to lead, support one another, and create safer, more connected school environments.