Lawrenceville Student Wins Statewide Drug-Free Art Competition

LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ — A student at Lawrence Intermediate School in Lawrenceville is among the more than 3,400 fourth grade students from across New Jersey who showcased their artistic skills in the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey’s (PDFNJ) Design a Fourth Grade Folder contest this year.

Wade Bullard was a co-winner of the contest, along with Channing Jervis from Huber Street School in Seacaucus, Hudson County. They were chosen out of 29 finalists who were showcased in a virtual award ceremony held on May 12.

Their designs will be featured on the 40,000 folders distributed to fourth grade classrooms throughout the state this fall. Classroom posters featuring all the finalist’s designs will be distributed to the classrooms as well.

The awards ceremony has typically been held at Jenkinson’s Boardwalk, but due to the coronavirus pandemic, 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 Bullard 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.”