Verde Valley AZ (April 29, 2015) – MATFORCE announces winners of its annual “My Voice Makes a Difference” Video Contest. The contest gives youth in Yavapai County the opportunity to create a message against drug and alcohol abuse. Winning videos will be used by MATFORCE at community events and as Public Service Announcements.
Doug Bartosh, MATFORCE Co-Chair and Cottonwood City Manager said, “Each video submitted shows remarkable skill and gives a strong message against abusing drugs or alcohol. MATFORCE highly commends these students who stand on the side of safe and healthy choices.” Krista Witherow of CableOne Advertising and MATFORCE’s Prescott Area Steering Committee assisted in the judging.
Bartosh added, “I encourage all to view these powerful videos on our matforce.org website. The videos can be used by schools or youth serving organizations to show what area youth really have to say about the dangers of drug abuse.”
Winners received cash prizes in two categories; middle and high school. First place winners earned $300, while second and third place winners received $200 and $100 respectively. Honorable mention winners were awarded $25.
First place in the middle school category was won by Isaac Peterson, Micah Peterson and Trenton Gullikson of Glassford Hill Middle School in Prescott Valley. Their video uses lego stop-action animation to depict how a friend stops another friend from using drugs.
Second place in the middle school category was won by Paul Wrobel of Bradshaw Mountain Middle School in Dewey. Third place was won by Alicia Tapia of Glassford Hill Middle School.
Honorable mention in the middle school category went to: Lauton Pitterle, Sonny Leto, Ryan Kelly and Logan Boden of Bradshaw Mountain Middle School; Joanna Espinoza, Lesly Castillo and Linda Romero of Glassford Hill Middle School.
First place in the high school category was won by Connor Fraher of Bradshaw Mountain High School in Prescott Valley. Connor’s video skillfully uses a split screen format to show the destructive path of drug use compared to the path of healthy choices.
Second place in the high school category was won by Grace Holverson of Sedona Red Rock High School. Third place has won by Brett Lovoi of Mingus Union High School in Cottonwood.
Honorable mention in the high school entries went to: Thomas Villa, Ryan Grueza, Courtney Beecher, Nico Gaseoma, Dartagnon Woodruff, Brandon Luong, Tyler Lewis, Traygon Ullery, Alexis Rhoton, Shelby Ortega, Colin Wilcoxson, Zayne Hirsch, Tyler Schlotfeld, Katie Williams, Sofia Rocha, Caliee Durnez, Ethan Miller, Caden Emmons and Damian Huff of Mingus Union High School in Cottonwood as well as Jasmyne Calegory and Kaytlin Lesniewicz of Camp Verde High School.
For more information visit matforce.org.