nj.com: Students Finalists in N.J. Shout Down Drugs Competition

3/2/2016

Xavier Blake Penns Grove.jpg
Xavier Blake of Penns Grove a student at Penns Grove High School is one of 30 students who were selected as a finalist in the statewide New Jersey Shout Down Drugs music competition. (COURTESY PHOTO)
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Staff | NJ Advance Media for NJ.comBy Staff | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com 
on March 02, 2016 at 3:03 PM, updated March 02, 2016 at 3:04 PM
 
 
 

SALEM COUNTY — Two Salem County musicians and students from Penns Grove High School have been named finalists in the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey's (PDFNJ), "New Jersey Shout Down Drugs" competition.

The initiative challenges high school students to create original music with lyrics that contain powerful peer-to-peer substance abuse prevention messages. Xavier Blake's original song, "Lost and Found" was selected as the Salem County finalist from numerous entries from across the state.

Blake of Penns Grove is one of 30 students who were selected as a finalist in the statewide "New Jersey Shout Down Drugs" music competition. 

Brandon Jefferson Penns Grove.jpgWildcard finalist, Brandon Jefferson of Carneys Point also a student at Penns Grove High School will perform "Angel" at the Prevention Concert.Courtesy Photo 

Wildcard finalist, Brandon Jefferson of Carneys Point, also a student at Penns Grove High School, will also perform "Angel" at the Prevention Concert.

The finalists, selected through an online vote and judging panel, represent 14 New Jersey counties and will compete for $10,000 in music contracts.

The public can vote for Xavier Blake and Brandon Jefferson's song on www.shoutdowndrugs.com. The site features profiles of this year's finalists and allows the public to cast votes for their favorite songs. These results will be factored into the finalists' scores on the night of the concert.

These two Salem County teens will perform their original songs at the 12th Annual New Jersey Shout Down Drugs music concert presented by the New Jersey Broadcaster's Association, on May 25, at the Rutgers University Nicholas Music Center in New Brunswick. Tickets are free of charge, but must be reserved at www.ShoutDownDrugs.com or 973-467-2100 Ext. 19.   

Best known for its statewide anti-drug 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 $70 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.