FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 18, 2025
Contacts: Lisa Batitto, news@drugfreenj.org

Last Chance for High School Musicians to Shine in the 2025
Your Song! Your Voice! Competition!

MILLBURN, NJ — High school musicians across New Jersey have just one month left to submit their original songs for the 21^st Annual Your Song! Your Voice! Shout Down Drugs New Jersey competition. The deadline for entries is Thursday, March 20.

Organized by the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey (PDFNJ), the competition allows students to use their musical talents to create impactful messages about substance use prevention and the importance of living a healthy lifestyle. The winner will receive a $5,000 music contract and the opportunity to share their song and message across the state over the next year.

“With just one month to go until the entry deadline, we encourage all high school musicians to take this opportunity to make their voices heard,” said PDFNJ Executive Director Angelo Valente. “No matter the genre—rock, jazz, hip-hop, or R&B—this competition is a powerful way for young artists to inspire their peers through music. We can’t wait to hear the creative and meaningful songs they submit.”

Sponsored by the New Jersey Broadcasters Association (NJBA) and 95.9 WRAT, the competition will culminate in a virtual concert showcasing the finalists’ songs on May 7. The event will be hosted by Jimmy Steal, Creative Services Director and PM Drive Host for WRAT, and an esteemed panel of judges will select the winner. Steal will announce the winner at the concert’s conclusion.

For rules and further information on entering the competition, visit shoutdowndrugs.com

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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 230 advertising and public relations awards from national, regional and statewide media organizations.