Catholic Charities Kicks-Off 26th Annual Prevention Poster Contest
Sullivan County Students in Grades 1 – 12 Invited to Submit Original Artwork to Promote Message of Alcohol, Tobacco, Drug, and Gambling Abuse Prevention
MONTICELLO – Catholic Charities of Orange, Sullivan, and Ulster is pleased to announce the launch of the 26th Annual Alcohol, Tobacco, Gambling & Drug Abuse Poster Contest. Hosted each year in partnership with Sullivan County Government, this contest is open to all young people in Sullivan County, grades 1 through 12. Originally established by The Recovery Center in 1994 and now hosted by Catholic Charities, the contest provides an important educational opportunity to raise awareness of the issues of alcohol, tobacco, gambling, and drug abuse that can impact the youth in our communities. The contest, undertaken 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 is: “Hold on Tight to What is Right; When Choosing to Be: Alcohol, Tobacco, Gambling and Drug Free!” All Sullivan County students in grades 1 – 12 are invited to submit their original poster artwork for judging. Judging will include three different grade level categories, as well as English and Spanish language winners. Complete poster contest guidelines are available on Catholic Charities’ website at www.cccsos.org.
The grand prize-winning posters in both English and Spanish will be professionally printed featuring the artist’s name and school district, and will be distributed to schools, businesses, government offices, and other organizations throughout Sullivan County. In addition, more than $1300 in cash prizes will be awarded to top winners in each age category. Last year, more than 325 posters were submitted from 11 different schools.
Sullivan County businesses are invited to show their support for youth in the community by signing on as a sponsor of this important addiction prevention event. Sponsorship information is available by contacting Catholic Charities’ Prevention Projects Coordinator LA Branch at LA.Branch@cccsos.org or 845.794.8080, ext. 117.
“The annual Prevention Poster Contest is a great way to engage students in understanding and embracing important prevention messages,” said Dawn Wilkin, Director of Prevention Services, Catholic Charities. “We are grateful to the students, schools, art teachers, and businesses that participate in the contest each year and help promote the benefits of a substance-free lifestyle.”
All participating school districts, students, and their parents, as well as sponsors, elected officials, and community members, are invited to attend the Poster Contest Awards Ceremony hosted by Catholic Charities at the Sullivan County Government Center. This year’s ceremony will be held Friday, April 17 at 1 pm. All posters will be on display at the Government Center and the grand prize-winning posters will be on display. Reprints of the winning posters will also be available for distribution.
Catholic Charities Prevention Services coordinates community outreach in Orange, Sullivan, and Ulster 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.
Annual Poster Contest Guidelines
The winners of last year’s Prevention Poster Contest were recognized 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.
