By Sharon E. Siegel
MIDDLETOWN, NY – It was a great pleasure for Port Jervis Newsroom to cover the annual Alcohol & Drug Awareness Council of Orange County (ADAC)’s Substance Use Prevention Poster and Essay Contest again this spring. Dozens of students from Orange County were awarded in various categories for their positive presentation against substance abuse.
Besides meeting the very talented students, it was great to see the artwork and hear the essays created by our Orange County youth. Student names and entry categories are listed below.
It is noteworthy to mention that this award event is always 100% about the students, and a celebration of their work. Every student was called to the stage and a large image of their work shown on a screen, one-by-one as they were individually recognized and applauded.
Families, educators, and others were in attendance to see the pride exhibited by students, ADAC staff, and other guests who assisted in awarding certificates and awards.
The ceremony was held at the Paramount Theater in Middletown, NY on May 10, 2024. Congratulations to all who were recognized on that day, and to all who entered.
ADAC
ADAC is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to address substance use disorder by …
EDUCATING the general public about substance use disorder as a treatable family disease;
ADVOCATING on behalf of those suffering the effects of substance use disorder;
DEVELOPING a countywide voluntary constituency of actively concerned individuals educated to the problems of substance use disorder;
PREVENTING substance use disorder through education and information dissemination.
A statement given by ADAC TEAM is as follows:
“It was great to watch the pride and enthusiasm of the ADAC team in greeting each of the students as they crossed the stage. This team put a lot of effort into celebrating the student work and in getting the important message out, all aimed at saving lives and preventing substance abuse. On hand to congratulate each student were ADAC Prevention Coordinator Maryalice Kovatch, Prevention Educator Rebecca Hulse, Program Assistant Denise Hulse, Stop DWI Program Educator Lauren Savino, and Mid-Hudson Prevention Resource Center Jennifer Ocasio.”
A message shared by ADAC about Orange County’s District Attorney and the D.A.’s thoughts about the poster and essay contest mission:
FROM ADAC: Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler, who deals with the impact of alcohol and drug abuse frequently and in countless ways, was among those who expressed his gratitude for the efforts of ADAC and the importance of prevention in elementary, middle, and high school-year age groups.
From District Attorney David M. Hoovler: “Any prevention is good, and this is very positive and worthwhile. The real problem is within the 27-40 age up. I hope this continues to resonate with the younger ages as they prepare for their future.”
YOUTH AWARD WINNERS
Honorable Mention Posters
Grades 1-3
Alexandria Azevedo, 3rd Grade, GIS
Gianna Bianchi, 3rd Grade, GIS
Kiera Blessing, 3rd Grade, GIS
Mariska Boroden, 3rd Grade, GIS
Julia Gisonna, 3rd Grade, GIS
LaVie Guzman, 3rd Grade, GIS
Mahrosh Irfan, 3rd Grade, Pine Tree
Maddox Iturrios, 3rd Grade, GIS
Lucas Joseph, 3rd Grade, GIS
Jordan Leonard, 3rd Grade, GIS
Arianna Pedron, 3rd Grade, GIS
Mila Ramirez, 2nd Grade, Pine Tree
Kamila Rodriguez, 3rd Grade, Pine Tree
Sophia Rogich, 3rd Grade, GIS
Felicia Sgambati, 3rd Grade, GIS
Desmond Seibert, 3rd Grade, GIS
Alice Stoycheva, 2nd Grade, Pine Tree
Evan Suero, 3rd Grade, GIS
Zaire Thomas, 3rd Grade, ASK
Kimberly Torres, 3rd Grade, Balmville
Isabella Trujano-Lopez, 3rd Grade, GIS
Jenna Zheng, 3rd Grade, GIS
Honorable Mention Posters
Grades 4-6
Brielle Almonte, 6th Grade, ASK
Grace Blake, 5th Grade, GIS
Cecilia Boesch, 6th Grade, CJ Hooker
Ella Brinckerhoff, 6th Grade, ASK
Lena Brown, 6th Grade, HBE
Abigail Brown-Kraus, 5th Grade, Pine Tree
Evangeline Broyles, 5th Grade, GIS
Averie Cox, 4th Grade, ASK
Emily Garbutt, 6th Grade, CJ Hooker
Aubrey Gardner, 6th Grade, CJ Hooker
Darla Gautier, 5th Grade, GIS
Madelyn Hoffman, 5th Grade, GIS
Shinbii Jeon, 5th Grade, Pine Tree
Amber Leithner, 4th Grade, HBE
Troy Loomis-Regelski , 4th Grade, GIS
Yuliana Lopez, 5th Grade, GIS
Emilia Martinez, 6th Grade, Greenwood Lake
Lydia Miller, 6th Grade, Crispell
Victoria Palazzo, 6th Grade, HBE (Theme Winner)
Ryan Robertson, 6th Grade, HBE
Lemon Savatta, 4th Grade, GIS
Hunter Scott, 6th Grade, HBE
Kate Seigel, 5th Grade, ASK
Ava-Marie Smith, 5th Grade, ASK
Harper Steinberg, 4th Grade, GIS
Lucy Viebrock, 5th Grade, GIS
Honorable Mention Posters
Grades 7-9
Hannah Aprile, 8th Grade, WMS
Aliya Beebe, 9th Grade, PJHS
Crisairy Cabrera, 8th Grade, PJHS
Killian Case, 9th Grade, PJHS
Gianna DiGiantommaso, 9th Grade, PJHS
Briar Dolson, 9th Grade, PJHS
Isabelle Fountain, 8th Grade, PJMS
Lia Fox, 8th Grade, PJMS
Aiden Hand, 9th Grade, MAF MS
Elijah Kelley, 9th Grade, MAF HS
Leisa Jean-Baptiste, 9th Grade, Circleville MS
Riyah Lebron, 9th Grade, PJHS
Brian McElroy, 9th Grade, Arden Hill
Samiyah McKenzie, 9th Grade, Minisink Valley HS
Audrey Miedema, 9th Grade, Minisink Valley HS
Serena Moncada, 9th Grade, PJHS
Ryleigh Payne, 8th Grade, PJMS
Audrey Shannon, 9th Grade, PJHS
Anaya Texidor, 9th Grade, PJHS
Anna Velichko, 7th Grade, PJMS
Honorable Mention Posters
Grades 10-12
Jade Casey, 10th Grade, MAF HS
Clover Hartwick, 10th Grade, MAF HS
Jason Herb, 12th Grade, MAF HS
Kacie Lynch, 10th Grade, PJHS
Shania Charles Mazza, 10th Grade, PJHS
Ava Saint Louis, 12th Grade, PJHS
Robin Sweeney, 11th Grade, PJHS
Katharine Werlitz, 11th Grade, PJHS
Honorable Mention Posters
Digital
Clinton Berg, 6th Grade, HBE
Joy Christensen, 6th Grade, HBE
Angel Colon, 6th Grade, HBE
Justice Colon, 6th Grade, HBE
Adriana Leinweber, 5th Grade, HBE
Declan Swires, 6th Grade, HBE
Lauren Bialt, 11th Grade, Orange-Ulster Boces
Aine Bloom, 11th Grade, Orange-Ulster Boces
Grace Del Pilar, 12th Grade, VCHS
Gabriella Faison, 11th Grade, Orange-Ulster Boces
Samantha Guerente, 10th Grade, MAF
Avi Guillen, 11th Grade, Orange-Ulster Boces
Jessica Hoffman, 12th Grade, Orange-Ulster Boces
Jamie Honders, 7th Grade, PJMS
Eamonn Mulleady, 11th Grade, GHS
Sofia Puertas, 11th Grade, GHS
Jayden Terwilliger, 7th Grade, PJMS
Giavanna Torres, 8th Grade, MAF
Chris Vargo, 11th Grade, Orange-Ulster Boces
Honorable Mention Essays
Grades 1-6
Ella Brinckerhoff, 6th Grade, ASK
Xavier Cauthen, 6th Grade, ASK
Davianna Freeman, 6th Grade, ASK
Natalie Halpenny, 6th Grade, ASK
Tess Hoehmann, 5th Grade, EJR
Jacob Howell, 6th Grade, ASK
Leni Kaplan, 6th Grade, ASK
Henry Lehn, 6th Grade, ASK
Jacqueline Maciel, 5th Grade, EJR
Austin Murphy, 6th Grade, ASK
Aidan Reed, 6th Grade, ASK
Asher Scofield, 5th Grade, EJR
Wyatt Sudol, 5th Grade, EJR
Charli Tauszky, 6th Grade, ASK
Sopuruchi Ugwu, 5th Grade, EJ
Honorable Mention Essays
Grades 7-12
Sergio Becares, 11th Grade, HCS
Natalie Benincasa, 12th Grade, VCHS
Lucas Maisonave, 11th Grade, HCS
Tyshan Mitchell II, 12th Grade, VCHS
Third Place Poster Winners
Grades 1-3
Mike Naula, 3rd Grade, GIS
Grades 4-6
Elena Heater, 5th Grade, ASK
Grades 7-9
Nicholas Valdes, 8th Grade, Washingtonville MS
Grades 10-12
Elijah Carattini, 12th Grade, Port Jervis HS
Third Place Digital Winners
Keira Davis, 12th Grade, Minisink Valley HS
Nakayla Colon, 9th Grade, Port Jervis High School
Third Place Essay Winners
Grades 1-6
Olivia Raines, 6th Grade, ASK
Essay, Grades 7-12
Madison Elwyn, 10th Grade, HCS
Second Place Poster Winners
Grades 1-3
Magnus Tebaldi, 3rd Grade, Goshen Intermediate
Grades 4-6
Lillian Montemurro, 4th Grade, Goshen Intermediate
Grades 7-9
Cielo Ramos Acevedo, 8th Grade, Port Jervis Middle School
Grades 10-12
Juliana Olivero, 10th Grade, Port Jervis High School
Second Place Digital Winner
Emily Decker, 11th Grade, Orange-Ulster Boces
Second Place Essay Winners
Grades 1-6
Nevaeh Dennett, 5th Grade, Harmony Christian
Essay, Grades 7-12
Jules Burke, 12th Grade, Valley Central High School
First Place Winners
Grades 1-3
Allison Gallagher, 3rd Grade, Goshen Intermediate
Grades 4-6
Isabella Jiang, 5th Grade, ASK
Grades 7-9
Kayleigh Hall, 9th Grade, Port Jervis High School
Grades 10-12
Isabelle Gomez, 10th Grade, Port Jervis High School
First Place Digital Winner
Madison Pilios Gawrych, 11th Grade, Goshen High School
First Place Essay Winners
Grades 1-6
Brycen Beauchesne, 6th Grade, ASK
Grades 7-12
Natalie Deoragh, 11th Grade, Minisink Valley
Grand Prize Poster – English Category
Grades 1 – 6
Aubrey Cirigliano, 6th Grade, C.J. Hooker Middle School
Grand Prize Poster – Spanish Category
Grades 1 - 6
Kaia Oum, 4th Grade, Goshen Intermediate School
Grand Prize Essay
Grades 1-6
Scarlett Voight, 5th Grade, Edward J. Russel Elementary
Grand Prize Poster – English Category, Poster
Grades 7-12
Alexandra Lathouris, 12th Grade, Marguerite A. Flood HS
Grand Prize Poster – Spanish Category, Poster
Grades 7-12
Kaylee Makarenko, 11th Grade, Port Jervis High School
Grand Prize Digital – Spanish Category, Poster
Grades 7-12
Gabrielle Polarski, 11th Grade, Port Jervis High School
Grand Prize Digital – English Category, Poster
Grades 7-12
Robert Dewitt, 12th Grade, CTE at OU BOCES
Grand Prize, Essay
Grades 7-12
Emma Koenig, 12th Grade, Harmony Christian School
2nd Annual Lori Hulle Memorial Prevention Poster Award
Julia Elston, 11th Grade, Port Jervis High School
5th Annual Teacher Appreciation Award
Catherine Stellato
FROM ADAC:
Thank you, Poster Judges!
Alayne Eisloffel, Tri-County Prevention Coalition
Michael Bark, Orange County Youth Bureau
Eileen Buckley, Prevention Specialist
Isabella Bragaglia, Prevention Intern
Jake Castro, Prevention Specialist
Zebediah Francis, Prevention Specialist
Denise Hulse, Prevention Specialist
Taiya Negron, Prevention Specialist
Brian Rudden, Prevention Specialist
Frankie Wright, Prevention Specialist
FROM ADAC:
Thank you, Essay Judges!
Arabia Shearn, Prevention Educator
Natalie Gatto, Prevention Educator
Mylene Ortiz, Mental Health Prevention Specialist
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