Schools

Kids' Art Packs a Drug-Free Message

Finalists in Folder Contest Honored Today

The Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey today announced the winners of their annual fourth-grade folder art contest, where students were asked to produce drawings and a slogan based on the theme “Fun Things to do Instead of Doing Drugs.”

Of the eight thousand submissions received, 30 entries were named finalists and were honored today during a ceremony at Verizon’s corporate headquarters in downtown Newark. Verizon is the corporate sponsor of the contest. The young sloganeer-artists, as well as their families, were later given a tour of the nearby Newark Museum.

Two of those finalists were selected as the winners, and their artwork will grace folders to be distributed to grade school students throughout the state next year. The 2012 winners are Kennedy Christiana of All Saints Academy in Bayonne and Malk Aziz of Christa McAuliffe School #28 in Jersey City.

Some of the winning slogans were “Don’t Let Drugs Ruin Your Dreams,” “Make Better Choices with Drug-Free Voices” and “Hugs Not Drugs.” 

Four Essex County students were among the 30 finalists: N’Kavian Bryant -Johnson of St. Michael School in Newark; Jason Pereira of Our Lady of the Lake School in Verona, Mary Mankowich of Yantacaw School in Nutley, and Justin Galasso of Irvington, who attends Saint Michaels Parish School in Union, Union County. 



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