MONTICELLO- Catholic Charities of Orange, Sullivan & Ulster was recently joined by students, family members, teachers, elected officials, and others at the Sullivan County Government Center for the
29th annual Prevention Poster Contest. The annual county-wide contest recognizes the creative and artistic talent of Sullivan County students while promoting an important message of youth substance use prevention.
New York State Assemblymember Aileen Gunther and Nadia Rajsz, Chair of the Sullivan County Legislature, welcomed guests to the government center and congratulated the contest participants.
Chair Rajsz presented a legislative proclamation in recognition of April as Alcohol Awareness Month.
The theme for this year’s contest was “Be the life of the party when choosing to be alcohol, tobacco, gambling, and drug free.” Sullivan County students were invited to submit original artwork illustrating their interpretation of the theme. The contest awarded prizes for both elementary and high school submissions, as well as Spanish language posters. Grand prizes were awarded for English and Spanish language posters.
Third-grader Meleny Juarez Cadena, from Benjamin Cosor Elementary School in Fallsburg, won the grand prize for her Spanish language poster. Sierra Norris, an 11th grader at Liberty High School, was the grand prize winner in the English language category. They each received a $250 prize and their winning posters have been professionally printed for distribution to schools, businesses, and other organizations throughout Sullivan County for public display.
“It is thanks to the schools and art teachers that engage students in this important initiative that the poster contest is a success each year,” said L.A. Branch, Catholic Charities Sullivan County Prevention Program Coordinator. “Their support encourages students to reflect on the theme and issues such as addiction, substance use, and peer pressure, at an age-appropriate level. The students’ self-expression helps to communicate the prevention message in an impactful way, for themselves and their peers.”
In addition to the grand prizes, first, second, and third prizes were awarded, and honorable mentions were recognized. The posters were judged by a team of community volunteers.
The following students also received awards:
Grades 1-4
1st place – Giada Evangelista, grade 4, Benjamin Cosor Elementary School
2nd place – Zoya Meer, grade 4 – Benjamin Cosor Elementary School
3rd place – Desly Carcamo Bonilla, grade 4 – Benjamin Cosor Elementary School
Grades 9-12
1st place – Peyton Varner, grade 9 – Fallsburg High School
2nd place – Olivia DeGraw, grade 10 – Fallsburg High School
3rd place – Aiden Wherrey, grade 11 – Liberty High School
A total of $1,050 in prizes were awarded to the winners.
“The prevention message communicated by these posters continues to make a positive difference in the lives of our young people, the residents of Sullivan County, and the health of our community,” said Ms. Branch. “We’re grateful for the support from our sponsors and local businesses whose donations of funds and food helped to make the poster contest and awards ceremony a great experience for all participants.”
