mycentraljersey.com: Five Middlesex County finalists recognized in drug prevention contest

5/4/2017

 

SAYREVILLE - Fourth-grade students from schools in Carteret, Perth Amboy and Woodbridge were named award winners in the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey Folder Contest held Wednesday at the Middlesex County Fire Academy in Sayreville.

More than 7,000 fourth-grade students participated in the contest and 30 finalists received medals for their peer-to-peer substance abuse prevention artwork for the theme "Fun Things to Do Instead of Doing Drugs."

Two students from St. Joseph School in Carteret reached the final stage. Jasiel Amigon earned recognition for the message “Layer Your Life with All that Is Good,” and Gwendolyn Negron was chosen for “Drugs Are Not the Right Fit for Me.”

Jasiel also was named of of two grand-prize winners of the contest and will have her artwork and message displayed on 40,000 folders that will be distributed for fourth-grade students in September.

Fellow Middlesex County finalists included Lauren Daniels of Perth Amboy Catholic School in Perth Amboy for “Dancing is My Talent, Not Doing Drugs,” Sanjay Ravishankar of Kennedy Park School 24 in the Iselin section of Woodbridge for “I Will Ride Away from Drugs Without Hesitation” and Mylia C. Sanchez of Nathan Hale Elementary School in Carteret for “Keep Your System Virus Free, Don’t Do Drugs.”

 

“We’re very happy at the Prosecutor’s Office to be a part of this event. The Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey does such an incredible job to reach out to these kids,” said Middlesex County Prosecutor Andrew C. Carey, who spoke at the ceremony. “In law enforcement, we recognize we can’t get the message out by ourselves, and to have the kids behind us promoting positive messages is an absolutely terrific thing for the community.”

“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.

Valente added the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey believes 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, and healthy lifestyle.