Office on Youth Announces Take Down Tobacco Day Contest Winners
By: Robyn Chapman, Grant Program Manager, Orange County Office on Youth
This year, the Orange County Office on Youth celebrated National Take Down Tobacco Day in three ways. First, the Office coordinated a Youth Council tobacco and litter cleanup on March 29. This event removed harmful tobacco product waste from the environment. Second, the Office hosted their third annual National Take Down Tobacco Day Contest. Each year, this contest gives students the opportunity to create artwork for an advertisement against youth tobacco use.
The Office on Youth was excited to receive seven contest entries. After review by a committee, Candice Edmonds, a sixth - grader at Prospect Heights Middle School, and Jackson Hamilton, an Orange County High School senior, were selected as this year ’ s winners. Finally, the Office on Youth sent representatives to Locust Grove Middle School, Prospect Heights Middle School, and Orange County High School to allow students to sign a pledge to be Tobacco Free. This visit took place on Monday, April 8, since April 1 (National Take Down Tobacco Day) occurred during spring break. Well over 450 students pledged to be Tobacco Free during this visit!
Left: Jackson Hamilton ’ s “ Vape or Don ’ t Vape ” advertisement highlights the consequences of choosing to vape or to abstain. Below: Candice Edmonds ’ entry artistically reminds viewers to Take Down Tobacco rather than letting it “[ take] you down. ” The Office on Youth congratulates the winners and thanks all of those who entered.
Page 16 | April 2024
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