FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 9, 2024
Contacts: Lisa Batitto, news@drugfreenj.org

Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey Announces Winners of the Your Song! Your Voice! Shout Down Drugs Competition

**To arrange interviews or for photos, please contact Lisa Batitto at news@drugfreenj.org**

MILLBURN, NJ—Original songs from high school students from across New Jersey were broadcast in a virtual concert on May 8, which also served as the finale for the 20th Your Song! Your Voice! Shout Down Drugs competition. Organized by the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey (PDFNJ), the competition highlighted the students' musical talents and dedication to a drug-free lifestyle. The concert attracted about 1,500 listeners who tuned in to support the young artists and listen to their inspiring lyrics.

The winners are:

1st Place: Jordan Ford, "Fading," Grade 12, Barnegat High School, Ocean County.

2nd Place Joey Konopka, "Party Fever," Grade 12, Hillside High School, Union County.

3rd Place (Tie):  Imperfectly Perfect (Zoe Caraballo, Grade 10, and Jalexa Garcia, Grade 10), "Dimly Lit (Let Some Light In),"
Sussex County Technical School, Sparta, Sussex County. Mikayla Monclova, "Misery's Company," Grade 12, Hoboken Charter School, Hoboken, Hudson County.

Online Vote Winner: Mickenna Biggins, "Worth It," Grade 9, Northern Valley Regional High School at Demarest, Demarest, Bergen County

The competition was supported by the New Jersey Broadcasters Association (NJBA) and 95.9 WRAT. The 22 finalists’ songs were broadcast on 95.9 during a virtual concert, featuring the Creative Services Director of WRAT, Jimmy Steal. The winners were selected by an esteemed panel of judges and announced live at the concert's conclusion.

Jordan secured a $5,000 music contract for earning the top spot in the competition. Second-place winner Joey earned a $3,000 contract, and the two third-place finishers, the Sussex County group Imperfectly Perfect and Mikayla from Hudson County, will receive $2,000 each. The student-musicians will be able to perform their songs and share their messages across the state over the upcoming year.

"Our winners have not only showcased incredible talent but have also demonstrated a profound commitment to promoting healthy, drug-free lifestyles," said Angelo Valente, Executive Director of PDFNJ. "Their messages have resonated not just within their local communities but across the entire state, serving as a beacon of inspiration for all. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to them for their well-deserved success and express our gratitude for their inspiring contributions to substance use prevention."

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Best known for its statewide substance use prevention advertising campaign, the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey is a private not-for-profit coalition of professionals from the communications, corporate and government communities whose collective mission is to reduce demand for illicit drugs in New Jersey through media communication. To date, more than $200 million in broadcast time and print space has been donated to the Partnership’s New Jersey campaign, making it the largest public service advertising campaign in New Jersey’s history. Since its inception, the Partnership has garnered 226 advertising and public relations awards from national, regional and statewide media organizations.