MCPS Students Awarded for Underage Drinking Prevention Message

More than 30 middle and high school students were recognized at the Montgomery County Public Safety Headquarters building early Wednesday for their efforts in teaching their peers about the consequences of underage drinking.

Students entered a contest founded by the Keeping It Safe (KIS) Coalition earlier this year that required them to create a 30-second public service announcement with an underage drinking prevention message.

More than 24 student groups entered the contest this year and seven winning videos were honored with cash prizes made out to the participant’s schools, trophies and award certificates, according to a news release.

KIS is a coalition of County departments, local organizations and concerned residents that work to deter underage alcohol use and reduce access of alcohol to youth. With the recent retirement of the long time KIS Coalition coordinator, Meg Baker, the DLC stepped in to manage programming.

“We’re happy to support this program in any way that we can,” Robert Dorfman, director for Montgomery County Liquor Control. “Peer messaging is an important piece to the overall prevention of underage alcohol use. Kids need to hear positive messages from other kids.”

Here’s a list of the winners:

High School:

• Montgomery Blair High School – 1st place – $1,000 and a trophy
• Northwood High School – 2nd place – $500 and a trophy
• Montgomery Blair High School – 3rd place – $250 and a certificate
• Albert Einstein High School – 4th place – $100 and a certificate

Middle School:

• Roberto Clemente Middle School -1st place – $500 and a trophy
• Roberto Clemente Middle School- 2nd place – $250 and a trophy
• Washington Christian Academy – 3rd place – $100 and a certificate

The program was funded by a grant held by the DLC from the Montgomery County Police Red Light Camera fund. Winning videos will be distributed to schools, posted on YouTube and broadcast on several local television channels.

For more information about the KIS coalition, and to view the winning videos, visit the KIS website by clicking here.

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