Catholic Charities Presents Awards for 26th Annual Prevention Poster Contest in Recognition of Alcohol Awareness Month
MONTICELLO – Each April, in recognition of Alcohol Awareness Month, Catholic Charities of Orange, Sullivan, and Ulster announces the winners of the annual Prevention Poster Contest in a ceremony at the Sullivan County Government Center. However, last year, like just about everything else in 2020, the 26th annual awards ceremony was cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions. Students earning the top prizes for their posters highlighting the theme “Hold on Tight to What is Right When Choosing to be, Alcohol, Tobacco, Gambling, and Drug Free” were invited to Catholic Charities’ Monticello campus to pick up their prize and pose for a photo with their award-winning poster.
Each year, the contest awards prizes for three different grade level categories, as well as English and Spanish language grand prizes. The 2020/2021 contest had 378 posters submitted for judging.
The grand prize winner for the Spanish language poster was Abigail Keller, a 10th grader at Sullivan West High School. The grand prize winner for the English language poster was Julia Almodoval, a 10th grader at Liberty High School. They each received a $250 cash prize for their winning artwork.
“The poster contest is an annual highlight for our Sullivan County Prevention staff. While we couldn’t gather to celebrate the talent and creativity of our students, we were grateful to have so many students and school district’s embrace the poster contest and help share this important prevention message,” said Dawn Wilkin, Director of Prevention Services for Catholic Charities. “The stress, anxiety, and isolation throughout the pandemic have resulted in an increase in substance use which makes spreading the message about the benefits of a substance-free lifestyle more important than ever,” added Wilkin.
In addition to the grand prizes, first, second, and third prizes were awarded. This year, students participated from Benjamin Cosor Elementary (Fallsburg), Fallsburg Jr./Sr. High School, George Ross MacKenzie Elementary School (Eldred), Eldred Jr./Sr. High School, Liberty Central School District, Monticello Central School District, Sullivan West Central School District, and Livingston Manor Elementary. Award categories were grades 1-4, 5-8, and 9-12, and the posters were judged by a team of community volunteers.
In addition to the grand prize winners, the following students received awards:
Grades 1-4
1st place – Aaliyah Clemmons, grade 4 – George Gross McKenzie Elementary School
2nd place – Sophia Jacobs, grade 4 – Benjamin Cosor Elementary School
3rd place – Gianna Columbo Gonzalez, grade 4 – Benjamin Cosor Elementary School
Grades 5-8
1st place – Avery Moscatiello, grade 6 – George Ross McKenzie Elementary School
2nd place – Klaudie Wysocki, grade 6 – George Ross McKenzie Elementary School
3rd place – Peyton Brischler, grade 7 – Eldred Junior/Senior High School
Grades 9-12
1st place – Jaden Browne, grade 11 – Sullivan West High School
2nd place – Abigail Gaebel, grade 11 – Sullivan West High School
3rd place – Ariana Thomas, grade 10 – Sullivan West High School
A total of $1,325 in prizes was awarded to the winners. Pictures of each student displaying their winning poster will be available on Catholic Charities’ Facebook page and website (www.cccsos.org).
“For 26 years, the prevention message communicated by these posters continues to make a positive difference in the lives of our young people, the residents of Sullivan County, and the health of our community,” said LA Branch, Prevention Services Project Coordinator at Catholic Charities’ Sullivan County campus. It’s a message that bears repeating and we’re thankful for the many contest participants and supporters who help us spread the word about a substance-free lifestyle.”
Catholic Charities Prevention Services has offices in both Orange and Sullivan Counties and works with many school districts to provide a variety of programs. Many are available in a virtual format at this time. For more information about the poster contest or Prevention Services in Sullivan County, contact L.A. Branch at 845.794.8080, ext. 2530 or LA.branch@cccsos.org.
The grand prize winner for the Spanish language poster was Abigail Keller, a 10th grader at Sullivan West High School.
The grand prize winner for the English language poster was Julia Almodoval, a 10th grader at Liberty High School.
View PDF to see pictures of all students with their winning posters.
