PDFNJ 4th Grade Folder Contest
Artwork submission has closed
The Fourth Grade Folder Contest is open to all fourth grade students throughout New Jersey. Students are challenged to create anti-drug artwork relating to the theme "Fun Things to do Instead of Doing Drugs." The winning entries will have their artwork reproduced as a folder distributed to fourth grade classrooms throughout New Jersey.
To order your fourth-grade student folders for the 2021-2022 school year, please click here.
2020
Hudson and Mercer County Students Win PDFNJ Statewide Fourth Grade Folder Contest
MILLBURN — More than 3,400 fourth grade students from across New Jersey have showcased their artistic skills and entered the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey’s (PDFNJ) Design a Fourth Grade Folder contest this year. The talented winners were chosen out of 28 finalists who were showcased in a virtual award ceremony held on May 12th.
Channing Jervis from Huber Street School in Seacaucus, Hudson County; and Wade Bullard from Lawrence Intermediate School in Lawrenceville, Mercer County; were selected as co-winners of the contest. Their designs will be featured on the 40,000 folders distributed to fourth grade classrooms throughout the state this fall. Classroom posters featuring all of the finalist’s designs will be distributed to the classrooms as well.
Channing Jervis Wade Bullard
The awards ceremony has typically been held at Jenkinson’s Boardwalk, but due to COVID-19 the ceremony was held virtually. All 29 fourth grade student finalists will receive medals for their creative peer-to-peer substance use prevention artwork following the theme “Fun Things to Do Instead of Drugs.”
“These students should not only be commended for their creative ability, but also for sharing these important drug-free messages with their peers,” said Angelo Valente, Executive Director of the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey. “Their artwork showcases the importance of living a drug-free life and what it means to them.”
Channing’s winning design entitled “Never Let Drugs Control You” won him the winning spot, and Wade won the top spot for his design entitled, “New Jersey Drug Free, Full of Fun Things To Do”.
“It is never too early to begin the conversation and educate today’s youth about substance use and prevention efforts,” states Valente. “The Fourth Grade Folder Contest is just one example of how to engage students and encourage them to make smart decisions throughout their lives.”
To view the Fourth Grade Folder Contest presentation, please visit: drugfreenj.org/2020online
2019
Bergen and Hudson County Students Win PDFNJ Statewide Fourth Grade Folder Contest
POINT PLEASANT BEACH — More than 3,000 fourth grade students from across New Jersey showed off their artistic skill as part of the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey’s Design a Fourth Grade Folder contest this year, but only 32 earned recognition at the program award ceremony Tuesday at Jenkinson’s Boardwalk.
Ava Wittreich of Washington School in Bergenfield and Alysa Patel of Public School 27 in Jersey City were selected as co-winners of the contest. Their designs will appear on the folder distributed annually to thousands of fourth graders throughout the state.
All 32 fourth grade student finalists received medals for their creative peer-to-peer substance use prevention artwork following the theme “Fun Things to Do Instead of Drugs.”
“These young students have set tremendous examples for their peers to follow,” said Angelo Valente, Executive Director of the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey. “Their creative artwork has delivered a strong message to themselves, fellow students, teachers and parents about the importance of enjoying a healthy, drug-free life.”
Ava earned the contest’s highest honor for her chess-themed design titled, “Don’t play with drugs! You can’t win!” Alysa won for her design, “Alysa earned the contest’s highest honor for her design titled, “Never Do Drugs!” The winners’ artwork will be displayed on 40,000 folders that will be distributed to fourth grade students in September.
“Substance use prevention efforts are vital to building healthy lives for New Jersey’s youth,” Valente said. “Early prevention programs like the Fourth Grade Folder Contest are effective ways to educate and engage young students in making safe and healthy decisions for their future.”
2018
Student Finalists in Statewide Drug Prevention Folder Artwork Contest Recognized at Award Ceremony in Middlesex County
SAYREVILLE, N.J. — More than 6,000 fourth grade students from across New Jersey participated in the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey’s Fourth Grade Folder contest, but just 30 earned their way to the award ceremony held May 3rd at the Middlesex County Fire Academy.
All 30 student finalists received medals for their creative peer-to-peer substance abuse prevention artwork with the theme, “Fun Things to Do Instead Of Doing Drugs.”
Jasiel Amigon of St. Joseph School in Carteret, Middlesex County and Justin Ferreras of St. Gerard Majella School in Paterson, Passaic County were named the overall winners of the contest. Jasiel’s dessert-inspired message, “Layer Your Life with All That Is Good,” and Justin’s creative design, “Get Away from Drugs and Have Fun,” will be featured on 40,000 folders that will be distributed to schools throughout New Jersey in September 2017.
“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.
“The Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey has consistently believed that 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, healthy lifestyle,” Valente added.
The Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey honored 30 finalists from throughout the state for their artistic efforts in the Fourth Grade Folder Contest at an award ceremony held May 3 in Sayreville.
2017
2017 Fourth Grade Folder Contest finalists:
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2013
APP.com - Neptune City girls excel in folder contest by statewide Partnership