SLATE HILL – Through Orange County’s Youth Bureau and the United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region, the New York State Office of Children and Family Services recently provided funding for the Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Council of Orange County (ADAC) to partner with Minisink Valley High School’s Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) chapter to produce a public service announcement video.
The video is titled ‘78’ and highlights the impact that drugs and alcohol have on the life of individuals, families, and communities. It was created, filmed, and edited in its entirety by Minisink Valley’s SADD chapter. ADAC provided the students with guidance and support throughout the six months that they worked on the project. ADAC recently hosted a pre-release viewing of ‘78’ that was attended by the Minisink Valley High School filmmakers, faculty advisors, Orange County District Attorney’s Office, and the Orange County Youth Bureau.
“The students from Minisink Valley’s SADD Chapter have put together a professional and informative video that will be a great resource for school districts throughout the county,” said Rachel Wilson, Director of the Orange County Youth Bureau. “I enjoyed attending the premier of ‘78’ and meeting some of the students who were directly involved with the project. This is a perfect example of what can be accomplished when an investment is made in our youth through positive youth-adult partnerships.”
Minisink Valley High School will show ‘78’ to all of its students in grades 9-12 during English classes. ADAC will host a back-to-school kick-off viewing event in September which will allows students and parents to view the video. ‘78’ will be made available to every school district and youth program in Orange County.
L-R: Jerry Sander; Minisink Student Assistance Counselor (SADD Advisor); Rachel Wilson, Executive Director Orange County
Youth Bureau; James Conklin, Executive Director ADAC, Nicholas Mikulsk, incoming 2016-2017 Minisink Valley High School SADD
Vice President; Shannon Feely, incoming 2016-2017 Minisink Valley High School SADD President; Lauren Savino, Prevention
Educator, ADAC; Brianna Galloway, Minisink Valley High School SADD Member; Darlene DeJesus, Orange County Assistant
District Attorney; Gabrielle Cook, Minisink Valley High School SADD Member; Erica DePietro, current Minisink Valley
High School SADD President; Emily Rufino, Minisink Valley High School English Department Chair; Rebecca Fitzgerald,
Minisink Valley High School SADD Member.
Not pictured: Alexis Joannides, Minisink Valley High School SADD Member and film maker.
For more information visit www.OrangeCountyGov.com/YouthBureau.
