FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 16, 2024

Contact: Lisa Batitto, news@drugfreenj.org

[To arrange an interview with the contest finalists or to request images please contact news@drugfreenj.org]

Young Artists Shine: Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey Names 35 Finalists in Fourth Grade Folder Contest

MILLBURN, NJ — The Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey (PDFNJ) has named 35 finalists in its 2023-2024 Fourth Grade Folder Contest, recognizing students’ creative talent and commitment to promoting healthy, drug-free lifestyles. These students from across the state have artistically brought to life the theme "Fun Things to Do Instead of Drugs," underlining the importance of positive life choices.

Selected from a pool of thousands, these finalists represent a wide array of communities throughout the state and convey the importance of peer-to-peer messaging, even at a young age.

Finalists

Atlantic County:

• Alan Nguyen: Dr. Joyanne D. Miller School, Egg Harbor Township

Bergen County:

• Abigail Mathew: Hoover Elementary School, Bergenfield
• Delvin Peña: Wandell Elementary School, Saddle River
• Jerome Bustamante: Hoover Elementary School, Bergenfield
• Madelyn Zappel: School 2, Fort Lee
• Sky Mangiliman: Hoover Elementary School, Bergenfield
• Viola Eigenbrod: Franklin Elementary School, Bergenfield

Essex County:

• Adam Idrovo: Good Shepherd Academy, Nutley
• Ana Palma Garcia: Salome Urena, Newark
• Emily Ortiz Lafayette: Street School, Newark
• Jhostin Martinez: Salome Urena, Newark
• Lynise Brinson: Saint Michael School, Newark
• Milagros Poma Plaza: Salome Urena, Newark
• Riley Luftglass: F.N. Brown School, Verona
• Shaina Das: Mt. Pleasant Elementary School, Livingston

Hudson County:

• Ava Rodriguez: Saint Francis Academy, Union City

Middlesex County:

• Andrew Di Tommaso: Carpenter Elementary School, Old Bridge
• Claire Gill: James McDivitt Elementary School, Old Bridge
• Crisangely Hernandez: Perth Amboy Catholic School, Perth Amboy
• Daniel Suarez: James McDivitt Elementary School, Old Bridge
• David Bello: Grissom Elementary School, Old Bridge
• Kazeem Yussuf: Grissom Elementary School, Old Bridge
• Malana Strumberger: Grissom Elementary School, Old Bridge
• Nicolas Gallo Gonzalez: Perth Amboy Catholic School, Perth Amboy
• Venba Arun: St. Thomas the Apostle School, Old Bridge
• Zoe Gomez: Southwood Elementary School, Old Bridge

Monmouth County:

• Lachlan Heald: Brielle Elementary School, Brielle

Morris County:

• Cecilia Perkowski: Bee Meadow School, Whippany
• Devanshi Patel: Bee Meadow School, Whippany
• Sienna Cabalar: Lincoln Park Elementary School, Lincoln Park

Ocean County:

• Allegra Juliano: Joseph T. Donahue Elementary School, Barnegat

Passaic County:

• Aimee Kaye: St. Philip Preparatory School, Clifton

Somerset County:

• Aiden Bil: St. Matthias School, Somerset
• Emmanuel Victor: St. Matthias School, Somerset
• Loraine Coloma: St. Matthias School, Somerset

“The creativity of these young minds is not just admirable but a beacon of hope for a drug-free future,” said Angelo Valente, Executive Director of PDFNJ. Each finalist has contributed to an important conversation about making healthy choices and staying drug-free in a way that resonates with their peers. Parents play an important role in reinforcing these messages, and we are here to help foster these conversations.”

The artwork of the two grand prize winners will be featured on folders distributed statewide. The winners and finalists will be recognized at a virtual awards ceremony on Thursday, May 9 @ 1 p.m. & 7 p.m. here - drugfreenj.org/2024online

For more information about the Fourth Grade Folder Contest, please visit drugfreenj.org/4thgradefinalists

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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 $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 226 advertising and public relations awards from national, regional and statewide media organizations.