Brick Student is Finalist in Drug Prevention Folder Contest

Francesca Pescatore, a fourth grade student attending Saint Dominic School in Brick, was one of the 30 statewide finalists honored for her outstanding artwork at an awards ceremony held at the Newark Museum this week.

Francesca was one of over 8,000 fourth grade students from across New Jersey who participated in the 14th annual Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey/Verizon New Jersey Design a Fourth Grade Folder Contest.

"These young students from around the state are setting tremendous examples for others to follow," said Angelo M. Valente, executive director of the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey. "With their creativity and enthusiasm, they are to be commended for delivering compelling messages through their artwork to other students about enjoying a healthy life without drugs. Their artwork will help other children and teens understand that there are alternatives to drugs that are fun and rewarding."

The 2013 grand prize winning entries are Madelyn Weinstein of Woodrow Wilson School in Neptune City and Joseph DiSpirito of Saint Leo the Great School in Lincroft. Weinstein’s and DiSpirito’s peer-to-peer substance abuse prevention artwork will be featured on 35,000 folders that will be distributed to schools throughout New Jersey in September 2013.