Toms River North Students Take 2nd At Shout Down Drugs NJ Contest

MILLBURN, NJ — A pair of Toms River North students have placed second at the statewide Your Song! Your Voice! Shout Down Drugs New Jersey music competition.

Alessandra Regenye and Angelina Amato took second place for their original song, "Holding Out," which the duo performed as part of the virtual Prevention Concert last Friday on ShoutDownDrugs.com. The event was presented by the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey’s Your Song! Your Voice! Shout Down Drugs New Jersey music competition, supported by 95.9 WRAT and the New Jersey Broadcasters Association.

The Prevention Concert featured the musical performances of 14 finalists from seven different counties, who created original songs promoting substance use prevention messages. Jimmy Steal, WRAT creative director and PM Drive DJ, announced the winners live on 95.9 FM WRAT at the conclusion of the concert.

You can hear their performance Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday on WRAT’s Jersey Rock show at 11:30 p.m. To listen, tune in to WRAT 95.9 FM or go to www.wrat.com.

To listen to recording of the Prevention Concert Audio Show, please visit ShoutDownDrugs.com. Each of the winning musical acts will be featured on WRAT’s Jersey Rock show at 11:30 p.m. on May 11, 12 and 13. To listen, tune in to WRAT 95.9 FM or go to www.wrat.com.

The winners were chosen by a panel of independent judges, as well as online voting, which began in February and closed at midnight May 6. The contest website featured a profile of each musical act, and the public was able to vote for their favorite songs.

Alessandra and Angelina received a $3,000 music contract for winning second place. The winning students will perform their original songs at statewide events over the next year, COVID-19 conditions permitting.

"These talented New Jersey high school students have shown their commitment to being peer leaders on the issue of substance use prevention," said Angelo Valente, executive director of the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey. "The participants have displayed not only creativity and musical talent but also determination to make a difference in the lives of their peers by using their talent to spread important prevention messages."

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