Secaucus 4th Grader Named Statewide Winner In Art Contest

SECAUCUS, NJ — A fourth-grader from Secaucus was selected from more than 3,400 New Jersey public school students who entered their artwork in the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey’s contest this year.

The 3,400 initial entries were winnowed down to 28 finalists statewide, with two final winners — and one of them was fourth grader Channing Jervis from Huber Street School in Seacaucus.

The other winner was Wade Bullard, also a fourth grader, from Lawrence Intermediate School in Lawrenceville in Mercer County.

Channing’s winning design was entitled “Never Let Drugs Control You" and Wade's drawing was called “New Jersey Drug-Free, Full of Fun Things To Do."

Their two designs will be featured on 40,000 Drug-Free folders distributed to fourth-grade classrooms throughout the state this fall. Classroom posters featuring all of the finalists' designs will be distributed to public school classrooms as well.

All the students' work was showcased in a virtual award ceremony held on May 12.

The awards ceremony has typically been held at Jenkinson’s Boardwalk, but due to COVID-19 the ceremony was held virtually. All 28 fourth-grade student finalists will receive medals for their artwork, which was asked to follow the theme “Fun Things to Do Instead of Drugs.”

“It is never too early to begin the conversation and educate today’s youth about substance use and prevention efforts,” said Angelo Valente, director of the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey. “Their artwork showcases the importance of living a drug-free life and what it means to them.”

To view the Fourth Grade Folder Contest presentation, please visit:
http://www.drugfreenj.org/2020...