Student Finalists in Statewide Drug Prevention Folder Artwork Contest Recognized at Newark Museum Ceremony

4/28/2016

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 28, 2016

Contact: Taylor Lier, Media Coordinator 201-916-1032, taylor@drugfreenj.org

video of the event can be found after the press release 

Student Finalists in Statewide Drug Prevention Folder Artwork Contest Recognized at Newark Museum Ceremony

30 finalists were awarded at PDFNJ'S Design a 4th Grade Folder Contest Award Ceremony held at Newark Museum, 49 Washington St., Newark.

(NEWARK, NJ) – Over 6,000 fourth grade students from across New Jersey participated and 30 were selected as finalists and recognized at the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey (PDFNJ) Design a Fourth Grade Folder Contest Award Ceremony on April 27, 2016.

All 30 fourth grade student finalists received medals for their creative peer-to-peer substance abuse prevention artwork with the theme, “Fun Things to Do Instead Of Doing Drugs”.

Nicolas Lewis, Haworth Public School, Bergen County and Liandra Taylor, Saint Michael School, Essex County were named overall winners of the contest. Lewis’ creative message “Drugs are not a Part of Who I am” and Taylor’s “I Strum Away From Drugs” will be featured on 40,000 folders that will be distributed to schools throughout New Jersey in September 2016. The overall winners also received season passes to Six Flags Great Adventure.

Pic of finalists with families: (left to right) Overall winners Nicolas Lewis and Liandra Taylor stand proudly with their families. Their artwork will be distributed on 40,000 folders throughout the state in September 2016

 “These young students from around the state are setting tremendous examples for others to follow,” said Angelo M. Valente, executive director of the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey. 

“With their creativity and enthusiasm, they are to be commended for delivering compelling messages through their artwork to other students about enjoying a healthy life without drugs. Their artwork will help other children and teens understand that there are alternatives to drugs that are fun and rewarding,” explained Valente.

“The Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey has consistently believed that early prevention programs like the Fourth Grade Folder Contest, are effective ways to actively engage New Jersey’s young people in selecting and maintaining a drug free, healthy lifestyle,” explained Valente.

The awards ceremony was held in the Billy Johnson Auditorium of the Newark Museum, 49 Washington Street, Newark, NJ.