Westfield Students Substance Abuse Prevention Art Honored

WESTFIELD, NJ - Westfield Public School students and Holy Trinity School students were honored for their work in promoting substance abuse prevention Wednesday.

The ceremony held at Westfield High School recognized the 6th Annual Palooza Contest finalists. Westfield Public School students and Holy Trinity School students, in grades 1-12, created posters, poetry, and PSA’s themed, “Westfield, We Have Better Things To Do: Healthy Choices, Everyday Choices.” for substance abuse prevention.

The night of recognition was hosted by the students from the Westfield HS Dream Team and sponsored by the Westfield Municipal Alliance. Awards to finalists were donated by the Albert Anthony Kayal Foundation (AAKF). Also, the Westfield HS Dream Team matched each award and donated to two local organizations, Imagine and the Westfield Rescue Squad.

The message of the Westfield HS Dream Team, to students, is Confidence, Choices, Challenges, Changes. The Dream Team promotes positive decision-making and healthy choices and creates programs that provide alternatives to underage drinking and drug use. The mission of the Westfield HS Dream Team complements the mission of the Westfield Municipal Alliance to provide substance abuse prevention education in Westfield schools and to the broader Westfield community.

The Palooza Contest is announced annually in October during National Red Ribbon Week and entries are typically due before the end of November. Each year, in January, the finalists are celebrated by their families and other community members. Finalists’ posters, poetry, and the PSA are posted on the Westfield Municipal Alliance FB page.

For more information visit www.westfieldnj.gov/wma, or contact Louise DeDea at westfieldalliance@gmail.com or Kerri Oligino at westfieldalliance2@gmail.com.

(Photo courtesy of the Westfield Municipal Alliance)

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