PA Organization Holding Statewide Substance-Free Social Media Contest

The following announcement was provided to Patch from Communities In Schools of Pennsylvania:

Communities In Schools of Pennsylvania (CISPA), an affiliate of the nation's largest dropout-prevention organization, will hold three social media contests for high school students to promote CISPA’s alcohol, tobacco and drug-prevention campaign, My Voice PA. CISPA will give out nearly $2,000 in prize money to winners of the video, photo and tweet contests.

“Drugs and alcohol play a large role in Pennsylvania’s dropout epidemic, where nearly 100 students fail to graduate each day,” said CISPA President and State Director Ryan Riley. “By empowering students to stand up and proudly share their positive life choices, we’re taking an important step to keep them on the path to graduation.”

The first contest asks students to create an original video that answers the question, “Why do you choose to be drug and alcohol-free?” All videos should be 1-3 minutes long. The first place winner will receive $400; second place, $300; and third place, $200. Deadline to enter is May 1. Entry instructions are available on www.myvoicepa.org and Facebook.com/myvoicepa.

The second contest, with a May 23 deadline, asks students to create postings on Twitter about why they choose to be drug and alcohol-free. In order to qualify, students must first follow @MyVoicePA and retweet at least one of @MyVoicePA’s tweets. The first place winner will receive $200; second place, $150; and third place, $100. Entry instructions are available onwww.myvicepa.org and Twitter.com/myvoicepa.

CISPA’s third contest, with a June 1 deadline, asks students to submit an original photograph that is a visual representation of why they choose to be drug and alcohol-free. Students can enter through Facebook.com/Myvoicepa, Twitter (@MyVoicePA) or Instagram (@MyVoicePA) using the hashtag #myvoicepa. The first place winner will receive $200; second place, $150; and third place, $100.

The contests are open to all Pennsylvania students ages 13 and older in grades eight through 12. All students under the age of 18 must have a parent or guardian’s permission to enter.

The contests are part of the “My Voice PA” campaign, which promotes the theme “My Life. My Choice. Drug Free.” It presents teens with the idea that they are in control of the path their lives will take and that a drug-free path will lead them to a successful future. The campaign is a highly collaborative effort among schools, community coalitions, students and caregivers. For more information about the campaign, visit www.myvoicepa.org.