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Blackstone Principal And Student Square Off In 'No Phone Challenge'

BOSTON (CBS) – It's something to strike fear into the heart of the strongest person, and make your blood run cold - giving up your cell phone.

Can't imagine? Neither could the two people you're about to meet, until they took the plunge.

"My phone is a pretty big part of my life," says Mia Belanger, an eighth grader at the Hartnett Middle School in Blackstone.

Justin Cameron is the principal. Several couple of weeks ago he was observing a wellness class where they were talking about overuse of cell phones.

Mia was in the class, too. They both recognized themselves in the discussion.

"I felt giving it up for a while would be a healthy choice," says Cameron.

So he challenged the class to do just that. Mia accepted and they gave their phones to health teacher Michele Blanchard, who promptly locked them in a closet.

And that's where they've been for the last 15 days.

"When I handed it over my hand was very shaky, and I felt like I was going to cry," Mia says.

And it hasn't been easy.

"I went home and I was wondering what to do with myself, because it was never like that," she adds.

Slowly but surely, the good overruled the bad.

"I kind of like realized more what was actually going on with the world and I really just saw it through my phone, and I actually saw it with my eyes," she says.

Cameron realized he could be more "present" with students, teachers and his family if he cut back on phone use.

"During moments that I think are impactful to my life and to others, I think I'll try to keep it in my pocket," he says.

Today the principal was first to call it quits. He says he needs his phone to help him do his job.

Mia has her phone back as well. She says the first thing she'll do when she gets home is check her messages.

For holding out longer, Mr. Cameron is going to treat Mia and her friends to lunch.

Both the principal and the student say, they'll continue to moderate their cell phone use.

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