Statewide Drug Prevention Folder Contest

(Cinnaminson, NJ) – Over 8,000 fourth grade students from across New Jersey participated in the Fourteenth Annual Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey Design a Fourth Grade Folder Contest. On Wednesday, April 29, 2015, 30 fourth grade students were recognized for their creative peer-to-peer substance abuse prevention artwork with the theme, “Fun Things To Do Instead Of Doing Drugs.” Olivia Parisi a fourth grade student attending Eleanor Rush Intermediate School in Cinnaminson was one of the 30 statewide finalists honored for her outstanding artwork at an awards ceremony held at the Newark Museum.

The 2015 grand prize winning entries are Jospeh Rass of Lafayette Mills School in Manalapan and Madison Milla of Saint Peter’s School in Belleville. Rass’s and Milla’s peer-to-peer substance abuse prevention artwork will be featured on 35,000 folders that will be distributed to schools throughout New Jersey in September 2015.

“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.

Valente continued, “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,” explained Valente.

The Fourth Grade Folder Contest is made possible through the support of Verizon New Jersey.