Hudson Co. High School Students Shout Down Drugs at Newport Centre

4/22/2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 26, 2010
Contact Information:
Michelle Vernuccio Media Coordinator
Phone: 973.467.2100, ext. 24
E-mail: michelle@drugfreenj.org

 

HUDSON COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS SHOUT DOWN DRUGS AT NEWPORT CENTRE

Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey and United Way of Hudson County Awards Henry Snyder High School Student $1000 Music Contract

Harold Daniels, III (second from right) a senior attending Henry Snyder High School in Jersey City won first place honors for his winning substance abuse prevention song "Prevention's Intention" in the 9th Annual Hudson County Shouts Down Drugs music concert held on Friday, April 16, 2010 at Newport Centre in Jersey City. Daniel's award includes $1,000 music contract presented by the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey and United Way of Hudson County and to have his music professionally recorded and distributed throughout Hudson County. From Left to Right: Daniel Altilio, President and CPO, United Way of Hudson County; Dr. Howard Parish, Chairman, United Way of Hudson County; Will Carnevale, 2009 New Jersey Shouts Down Drugs Statewide Winner; Harold Daniels, III and Angelo M. Valente, Executive Director, Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey.
 

 

JERSEY CITY, NJ - Hundreds of Hudson County shoppers enjoyed listening to the Hudson County high school students who participated in the "9th Annual Hudson County Shouts Down Drugs" music competition on Friday, April 16, 2010 at the Newport Centre, Jersey City.

High school students throughout Hudson County created substance abuse prevention songs with original lyrics. This peer-to-peer song writing competition was sponsored by the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey (PDFNJ) and United Way of Hudson County to reach out to teenagers through music.

A panel of judges selected Harold Daniels, III, a senior attending Henry Snyder High School in Jersey City for first-place honors with his winning song Prevention's Intention. Daniels was awarded with a $1,000 music contract from the PDFNJ and United Way of Hudson County to perform at countywide events.

The runners-up in this competition include Christian Balbutin, Donte Jones, Alvin Santiago and Mark Vansertima from the rock alternative band "More than Simple" and Francisco De Jesus. All students attend the Jersey City Arts High School program in Jersey City. Each runner-up received an achievement certificate and trophy.

"Music is a universal language and this event provides teenagers with the opportunity to promote drug prevention to their peers in a very create way," explained Angelo M. Valente, executive director of the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey.

"United Way of Hudson County is proud to support the 'Hudson County Shouts Down Drugs' music competition, a project that encourages Hudson County high school students to be peer leaders in the fight against drugs," explained Daniel Altilio, president and CPO, United Way of Hudson County.

"Newport Centre was pleased to host this musical competition as a way of giving back to the community," said Jill Daniel, director of marketing & business development for Newport Centre. "Our shoppers enjoyed watching the students perform their original songs and we want to congratulate everyone that was involved in this worthwhile endeavor."

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 $50 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 over 50 Advertising and Public Relations Awards from National, Regional & Statewide Media Organizations.

Newport Centre is located in the heart of Jersey City’s Hudson River waterfront community and is managed by Simon Property Group, Inc., headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. Located only minutes from Manhattan, Newport Centre is anchored by Macy’s, JCPenney, Kohl’s and Sears and features over 130 specialty stores. Additional Simon Property Group information is available at www.simon.com.

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