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CHARLESTON -- West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey announced 11 students from the Northern Panhandle as regional winners of the seventh Kids Kick Opioids contest.
Regional winners are Brody Drumm, Riley Mikels, Marin Stanley and Mariska Swiger, of Brooke Middle School; Maura Lynelle Williamson and Lucas Dawson, of Weir Middle School; Catherine Tirona and Sophia Quattrochi, of St. Joseph the Worker School; Cali Lucey and Dawson Hill, of Cameron Middle & High School; and Ella Whiddon, of Moundsville Middle School.
"Drug abuse needlessly claims too many lives, and our hope is the entries from these artistic students will bring greater awareness and change -- these entries really showcase the tremendous talent of our elementary and middle school participants," Morrisey said. "These artworks 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."
The Attorney General's Office received 2,347 entries from 2,450 students at 66 middle and elementary schools across West Virginia. The submissions included a mix of drawings, poems and other designs aimed at promoting awareness.
Judges recognized winning entries from 65 students overall. Those designs will be displayed in the State Capitol in the fall.
The statewide winner and runner up will be announced soon. That winning entry will appear in newspapers across West Virginia as the Attorney General's next public service announcement.