MANSFIELD — There’s only one week left for local youth to vote for their favorites in a county-wide multimedia art contest.
Students in grades Kindergarten through 12 were asked earlier this year to submit original art, videos, poems or memes with a drug/alcohol prevention message to the Richland County Youth Substance Use Coalition.
Submissions are now closed, but students can still make their voices heard by voting for their favorite piece.
Voting is open through Feb. 21 to Richland County residents in grades kindergarten through 12. Students can vote for their favorites in three age-based categories.
The winners will be featured on local billboards and on the coalition’s website and social media channels. There are also prizes up for grabs, including $100 gift cards, Cedar Point passes and a class pizza party.
The RCYSUC was formed after receiving federal funding from the Drug-Free Communities program in October of 2019. The coalition works to reduce youth substance use and promote healthy activities.
RCYSUC Chairwoman Crystal Davis Weese said the group chose a student art contest in an effort to make the coalition’s work youth-led.
“We want to be impacted by their views and thoughts on prevention,” she said. “We understand that solutions only come from those impacted by the problem.”
The RCYSUC is also looking for youth interested in joining the coalition. Members of the coalition are assigned to committees based on their interests and skillset, but may assist with communications, prevention education and youth-centered activities, future contests or the RCYSUC’s social media platforms.
Interested parties can fill out the form and send a message on coalition website, contact the coalition via Facebook or email Deol at gdeol@richlandhealth.org.
“I think it vital that we involve students in the process, because we value them, and know that leadership doesn’t have to have an age or big corner office, it just takes the willingness to be a part of the process,” Weese said.
Article available on Richland Source