CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — The Paint Valley Alcohol, Drug Addiction, and Mental Health (ADAMH) Board held its 11th annual “Write in Red” Essay Contest in October to mark Red Ribbon Week, encouraging students from across five counties to reflect on ways to prevent substance abuse. Middle and high school students from Fayette, Highland, Pickaway, Pike, and Ross counties participated, sharing their ideas on avoiding drug, alcohol, and tobacco use.
The contest, held October 21-25, invited students from 15 school districts in the ADAMH Board’s region to write essays promoting a drug-free lifestyle. Winners from each county received $500 scholarships, which they can use for college or university expenses. This year’s county scholarship winners include:
- Leah Marine – Washington CH High School, Fayette County
- Lily Layne – Lynchburg Clay High School, Highland County
- Savanna Vulgamore – Westfall High School, Pickaway County
- Karley Brust – Piketon Middle School, Pike County
- Lilliana Neal – Bishop Flaget Middle School, Ross County
ADAMH Board Executive Director Melanie Swisher praised the young writers for their compelling essays and thoughtful reflections on the impact of substance abuse. “Each year the students provide the best essays, touching our hearts and opening our eyes as we realize how the environment impacts their lives,” Swisher said. “It is so energizing to see our youth take a proactive stand against drug, alcohol, and tobacco abuse by sharing their personal stories, doing research into relevant issues, and sharing their determination to remain drug-free.”
In addition to the countywide scholarships, winners at the school level received $100 awards. The school-level honorees included:
- Mayumi Kirby – Miami Trace Middle School
- Taylor Livingston – Fairfield High School
- Savannah May Chapman – Westfall Middle School
- Atwood Fox – Eastern High School
- Kalli Noland – Eastern Middle School
- Karanny Gabriel Gutierrez-Heredia – Fairfield Middle School
- Olivia Garrison – Greenfield High School
- Landon Hendershot – Greenfield Middle School
- Troy Gregory – Hillsboro High School
- Maddie Burke – Hillsboro Middle School
- Zayden Eichhorn – White Oak High School
- Ivy Garrison – White Oak Middle School
- Morgan Faith Williams – Piketon High School
- Abrielle Fleckinger – Waverly Middle School
- Emma Lansing – Waverly High School
- Selena Voorhes – Western High School
- McKinley Sykes – Western Middle School
- Keeley Gamble – Huntington High School
- JayLynn Vinings – Southeastern High School
This annual contest aims to inspire young people to make healthy choices and be leaders in promoting a drug-free lifestyle, creating a positive impact on their communities, and encouraging others to do the same.