Catholic Charities Hosts 30th Annual Sullivan County Youth Substance Use Prevention Poster Contest Awards Ceremony
Catholic Charities Hosts 30th Annual Sullivan County
Youth Substance Use Prevention Poster Contest Awards Ceremony
MONTICELLO – Catholic Charities of Orange, Sullivan & Ulster hosted its 30th annual Sullivan County Youth Substance Use Prevention Poster Contest Awards Ceremony at the Sullivan County Government Center last week. The annual county-wide contest promotes an important message of youth substance use prevention while recognizing the artistic and creative talents of Sullivan County students.
Nadia Rajsz, Chair of the Sullivan County Legislature, welcomed guests to the government center on behalf of the legislature and read a legislative proclamation in recognition of April as Alcohol Awareness Month. Eric Ball, representing Congressman Josh Riley’s office, presented certificates of commendation to each of the winners, and Monticello Mayor Rochelle Massey congratulated the winners and applauded their efforts to educate their peers and community about prevention. 
The theme for the 30th annual contest was “I’m the real me when choosing to be alcohol, tobacco, gambling, and drug free.” Students from all Sullivan County school districts were invited to submit original artwork illustrating their interpretation of the theme in English or Spanish. The contest awarded prizes for elementary, middle, and high school submissions. Grand prizes were awarded for English and Spanish language posters.
Lyric Mack, a kindergarten student from Monticello Central School District, received an honorable mention award in recognition of the first year that the contest has been extended to include kindergarten students.
Speaking to the attendees in both English and Spanish, Catholic Charities CEO, Shannon Kelly, thanked the parents and teachers for encouraging participation in the contest and supporting the agency’s work to prevent youth substance use, and congratulated the student artists for their creative contributions in support of the theme.
L.A. Branch, Catholic Charities Sullivan County Prevention Program Coordinator, served as emcee for the awards ceremony. “The students’ expression of the theme helps to communicate the message of prevention in a meaningful way that’s more impactful when it’s shared peer to peer,” said Branch. “We’re grateful for the support from the schools and teachers who understand the value of this messaging and get behind the contest year after year.”
In addition to the grand prizes, first, second, and third prizes were awarded, and honorable mentions were recognized. The posters were judged by a team of community volunteers.
The following students also received awards:
Grades 1-4
1st place – Pearl Gold, grade 4, Benjamin Cosor Elementary School
2nd place – Aubree Van Wolde, grade 3 - Benjamin Cosor Elementary School
3rd place – Ryan Patnode, grade 3 – Benjamin Cosor Elementary School
Grades 5-8
1st place – Alex Reyes, grade 8 - Liberty Middle School
2nd place – Casity DiBartolo, grade 8– Liberty Middle School
3rd place – Claire Ferguson, grade 7- Liberty Middle School
Grades 9-12
1st place – Adryana Kozachuk, grade 9 – Fallsburg High School
2nd place – Tatiana Parada, grade 9 – Fallsburg High School
3rd place – Danielle Kagan, grade 11 – Liberty High School
A total of $1,325 in cash prizes were awarded to the winners.
“Catholic Charities prevention and education programs focus on providing young people with the life skills and information they need to cope with peer pressure, bullying, and other issues that have an influence on students in today’s world,” said Ms. Branch. “The message communicated through these posters makes a positive difference in the lives of our young people, the residents of Sullivan County, and the well-being of our community,” added Ms. Branch. “Thanks to the generosity of sponsors and donors, the awards ceremony is a great experience for the participants and rewards them for their contributions.”
Catholic Charities Prevention Services provides programs in Orange, Sullivan, and Ulster Counties and works with many school districts to provide a variety of programs. Planning for the annual poster contest begins after the start of school each fall. To learn more, or to get involved, contact LA Branch at 845-794-8080 x2530 / LA.Branch@cccsos.org. All Sullivan County school districts and students in grades K – 12 are invited to participate.
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Catholic Charities of Orange, Sullivan & Ulster, as one of the human service agencies of Catholic Charities of The Archdiocese of New York, is committed to building a compassionate and just society. Catholic Charities serves the homeless, the hungry, the emotionally and physically challenged, as well as immigrants and other marginalized and vulnerable of Orange, Sullivan, and Ulster Counties. Catholic Charities collaborates with Catholic and non-Catholic partners alike to help people of all religions who are in need. For more information, visit www.cccsosorg.
Cutline 1: Allison Vasko (l), a 10th grader at Liberty High School, the grand prize winner for her English language poster, and Dayana Murillo Madrid (r), a 10th grader at Fallsburg Junior Senior High School, the grand prize winner for her Spanish language poster, pose with their award winning posters at the awards ceremony for Catholic Charities of Orange, Sullivan & Ulster’s 30th annual Youth Substance Use Prevention Poster Contest award ceremony, hosted at the Sullivan County Government Center. The winning posters are professionally printed and distributed to schools, businesses, and other organizations throughout Sullivan County for public display and the grand prize winners each received a $250 cash prize
Cutline 2: L.A. Branch, Catholic Charities Sullivan County Prevention Program Coordinator, presented Monticello School District kindergarten student Lyric Mack with an honorable mention for her contribution to the poster contest. This was the first year the poster contest included kindergarten students and Lyric was the first one to enter in the inaugural year.
Cutline 3: Grand prize-winning posters in Spanish and English.
