Yavapai County News – MATFORCE, an anti-drug organization with a focus on stopping youth drug use before it starts, held its annual Youth Poster Contest again this year to help raise awareness among youth about the risks of drug and alcohol abuse. Each year the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office assists in promoting this contest to students across the county.
Lucy Johnson, from Coyote Springs Elementary in Prescott Valley, won grand prize in the K-6th grade category for her artwork depicting a flower with falling petals displaying the message, “Don’t let your petals fall off and be drug free.”
Lilly Anne Scott, from Mingus Union High School in Cottonwood, won grand prize in the 7th-12th grade category for her artwork portraying the effects substance use has on the developing brain, and the message, “Be Smart, Don’t Start!”
The grand prize-winning posters will be featured on MATFORCE substance abuse awareness materials throughout 2024.
Grand Prize Winners:
- Lucy Johnson, age 8, Coyote Springs Elementary School, Prescott Valley, K-6th Grade
- Lilly Anne Scott, age 14, Mingus Union High School, Cottonwood, 7th-12th Grade
Age Category Winners:
- Kara Holleman, age 6, Franklin Phonetic School, Prescott Valley, Age 5/6
- Delilah Chacon, age 8, Mountain View Elementary School, Prescott Valley, Age 7/8
- Damaris Noemi, age 10, Coyote Springs Elementary School, Prescott Valley, Age 9/10
- Madalyn Patton, age 12, Mile High Middle School, Prescott, Age 11/12
- Eli Begay, age 14, Franklin Phonetic School, Prescott Valley, Age 13/14 (tie)
- Natalie Brown, age 14, Mile High Middle School, Prescott, Age 13/14 (tie)
- Rachel Rodriguez, age 16, Camp Verde High School, Camp Verde, Age 15/16 (tie)
- Lydia Oothoudt, age 16, Age 15/16 (tie)
- Autumn Benally, age 17, Camp Verde High School, Camp Verde, Age 17/18
Grand prize and all category winning posters can be viewed at matforce.org. A poster roadshow display will exhibit winning entries as well as honorable mention artwork throughout organizations in Yavapai County. To participate in the roadshow and display winning entries at your organization please contact MATFORCE at (928) 708-0100 or info@matforceaz.org.
