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CHARLESTON -- Two area students were among six regional winners from the Northern Panhandle in the Kids Kick Opioids contest, offered through the West Virginia Attorney General's Office and designed to spur creativity and raise awareness of prescription painkiller abuse.
Among the regional winners were Ashlyn Six of Oak Glen Middle School and Melesse Wiersbicki of St. Paul School.
Other regional winners were Hayden Mueller, of St. Michael Parish School; Luke Tiu, of St. Michael Parish School; Meredith Romanek, of St. Michael Parish School; and Gavin Spadafore, of Wheeling Country Day School.
"These entries really showcase the tremendous talent of our elementary and middle school participants," Attorney General Patrick Morrisey said. "The entries underscore the impact of the opioid epidemic on our young students. They are growing up in a time when drug abuse runs rampant. Our hope is their artwork will bring about greater awareness and a renewed commitment to change."
A total of 3,240 entries from 3,422 students at 96 middle and elementary schools across West Virginia were received -- the highest participation since Kids Kick Opioids began. The submissions included a mix of drawings, poems and other designs aimed at promoting awareness.
Many of this year's entries shared a theme of students experiencing addiction in their family life, Morrisey noted.
Designs from the regional winners will be displayed in the Capitol in the coming weeks.
Karter King of Riversville Middle School was announced as the statewide winner on Monday. King's entry will appear in newspapers across West Virginia as the Attorney General's next public service announcement.
The West Virginia State Medical Association, West Virginia Association of School Nurses and the Capitol Police assisted the Attorney General in judging the public service announcement contest.