ADAMH Write In Red – Red Ribbon Week Essay Contest Winners Announced

Presented by McDonald’s, I’m Lovin’ It! and Ross-Chillicothe Convention & Visitors Bureau

Twenty nine students from local school districts are recipients of awards from the Paint Valley Alcohol Drug Addiction and Mental Health (ADAMH) Board released Tuesday.

The students participated in the Write in Red – Red Ribbon Week Essay Contest held the week of October 25-29.

“Each year the students provide absolutely the best essays, touching our hearts and opening our eyes as we realize how the environment impacts their lives” noted Paint Valley ADAMH Board Executive Director Penny Dehner.

The Paint Valley ADAMH Board service area includes twenty two school districts in Fayette, Highland, Pickaway, Pike and Ross Counties. Seventeen of the school districts participated in the contest. One student from each county was selected to receive a $500 scholarship to any accredited college or university. Each were also awarded a $100 prize for winning their school’s contest.

Top winners include – Alekae Mikyl Wilson of Miami Trace Middle School (Fayette County); Jaeden Olivia Drury, Fairfield Middle School (Highland County); Reighlyn Byerly, Westfall High School (Pickaway County); Skyla Nichols, Western Middle School (Pike County) and Hannah Louise Balusick, Huntington High School (Ross County).

“Dehner adds “It’s so energizing to see our youth take a proactive stand against drug, alcohol and tobacco abuse by sharing their personal stories, doing research into relevant issues and explain their determination to remain drug free.”

Students winning their school’s contests and receiving $100 include – Jenna Martin, Adena HS; Lydia Beery, Adena MS; Andrea Cougill, Chillicothe HS; Katelyn Gray, Chillicothe MS; Kyla Poorman, Eastern HS; Makala Espericueta, Fairfield HS; Mia Snyder, Greenfield McClain HS; Cade Raike, Greenfield McClain MS; Sarah Newsome, Hillsboro HS; Malachi Aber, Hillsboro MS; Nicholas Ray Hughes, Huntington MS; Matalyn Magee, Lynchburg Clay MS; Kennedy C. Jenkins, Piketon HS; Briar Penwell, Piketon MS; Avery Baker, Southeastern HS; Ameryss Ware Southeastern MS; Elliott McHenry, Unioto HS; Brayden Botts, Unioto MS; Aiden Elliott, White Oak HS; Gabriel Ulrey, White Oak MS; Eric Patton, Waverly HS; Kacie R. Schuyler, Western HS; Grace Jenkins, Zane Trace HS.