Catholic Charities 25th Annual Prevention Poster Contest Awards Ceremony Hosted at Sullivan County Government Center Recognized Student Artwork
MONTICELLO – Catholic Charities of Orange, Sullivan, and Ulster hosted the awards ceremony for the 25th Annual Alcohol, Tobacco, Gambling, and Drug Abuse Poster Contest at the Sullivan County Government Center. The contest, hosted each year in recognition of Alcohol Awareness Month, celebrates the creative and artistic talent of Sullivan County students while promoting an important message of prevention.
The theme for this year’s poster contest was: “Nothing to Lose When You Choose to be: Alcohol, Tobacco, Gambling and Drug Free.” The contest included contributions from 11 schools in six Sullivan County school districts and 328 posters were submitted for judging. The contest included three different grade level categories, as well as English and Spanish language winners.
The grand prize winner for the Spanish language poster was Genesis Nallely, a 10th grader at Fallsburg Central School District. The grand prize winner for the English language poster was Avery Moscatiello, a 5th grader at Eldred’s George Ross MacKenzie Elementary School. Each grand prize winner received a $250 cash award and their winning posters were professionally printed for distribution to school districts, businesses, and non-profit and government agencies throughout Sullivan County.
“There is such incredible talent displayed by the students at the annual poster contest. It’s exciting to see the creativity that goes into communicating the prevention message each year,” said Dawn Wilkin, Director of Prevention Services, Catholic Charities. “We are grateful to the participating students, schools, art teachers, and businesses that continue to make the contest a success and help promote the benefits of a substance-free lifestyle.”
In addition to the grand prizes, awards were presented for first, second, and third prize, as well as honorable mention. Award categories were grades 1-4, 5-8, and 9 – 12. This year, students participated from Benjamin Cosor Elementary (Fallsburg), Fallsburg Jr./Sr. High School, George Ross MacKenzie Elementary School (Eldred), Liberty Central School District, Sullivan County BOCES, Sullivan West Central School District, and Livingston Manor Elementary. The posters were judged by a team of community volunteers.
On behalf of the Sullivan County Legislature, which co-hosts the annual poster contest, Legislative Chairman Luis Alvarez welcomed the students and guests to the Government Center for the award ceremony. District Attorney James Farrell congratulated the winners and thanked the participants for communicating the drug-free theme. 2019 Contest sponsors included Anderman Oil, Susan and Stephen Miller, Merrill Benco Insurance Agency, Lawrence B. Miller & Associates, Inc., I. Zakarin & Sons, Inc. and Joan Graham.
“It’s exciting to see the enthusiasm of the students, teachers, and parents at the award ceremony,” said LA Branch, Prevention Services Project Coordinator at Catholic Charities’ Sullivan County campus. “For 25 years, the messages spread by these posters have made a positive difference in the lives of our young people, the residents of Sullivan County, and the health of our community.”
Catholic Charities Prevention Services has offices in both Orange and Sullivan Counties and maintains a presence in many school districts. Last year, the program provided community outreach, education, and training to 13,000 individuals. For more information about the poster contest or Prevention Services in Sullivan County, contact L.A. Branch at 845.794.8080, ext. 117 or LA.branch@cccsos.org.
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Cutline: Catholic Charities of Orange, Sullivan, and Ulster and the Sullivan County Legislature hosted the 25th annual poster contest in recognition of Alcohol Awareness Month. The contest winners were announced in a ceremony at the Sullivan County Government Center. The grand prize winner for the English language poster was Avery Moscatiello (left), a 5th grader at Eldred’s George Ross MacKenzie Elementary School. The grand prize winner for the Spanish language poster was Genesis Nallely (right), a 10th grader at Fallsburg Central School District. Joining in the awards presentation were (l-r) Dawn Wilkin, Catholic Charities Director of Prevention Services, Sullivan County District Attorney James Farrell, LA Branch, Catholic Charities Prevention Services Project Coordinator, and Chairman Luis Alvarez, Sullivan County Legislature.
