The ninth annual Write In Red - Red Ribbon Week Essay Contest was conducted during Red Ribbon Week, Oct. 24-28, for all middle and high school students in Fayette, Highland, Pickaway, Pike and Ross counties.

Students were given a red pen to write an essay for the contest about how to prevent drug, alcohol and tobacco abuse.

The Paint Valley ADAMH Board service area includes 22 school districts. Fifteen out of the 22 districts participated and sent in entries. One student from each county was selected to receive a $500 scholarship to any accredited college or university.

The Board is pleased to announce that the following students were awarded a $100 prize for winning their school’s essay contest and a $500 scholarship for winning the county contest:

• Mason Hitchcock, Miami Trace Middle School - Fayette County
• Carianna Dorsett, Whiteoak Junior High School - Highland County
• Carli Hutchison, Teays Valley High School – Pickaway County
• Carson Hawk, Western Middle School - Pike County
• Alli Tobert, Southeastern High School - Ross County.

“Each year the students provide absolutely the best essays, touching our hearts and opening our eyes as we realize how the environment impacts their lives,” Paint Valley ADAMH Board Executive Director Penny Dehner said. “It is so energizing to see our youth take a proactive stand against drug, alcohol and tobacco abuse by sharing their personal stories, doing research into relevant issues and explain their determination to remain drug free.”

The following students were school winners and awarded $100 for the Write In Red Essay Contest:

• Sydney Sanders, Fairfield High School
• Secret Harvey, Fairfield Middle School
• Gracie Bowers, McClain High School
• Lillie Hogle, Greenfield Middle School
• Jaelen Parcell, Hillsboro Middle School
• Caden Faust, Lynchburg-Clay High School
• Riley Markey, Lynchburg-Clay Middle School
• Carly Stone, Whiteoak High School
• Lillian Flugge, Eastern High School
• Leah Rader, Eastern Middle School
• Brent McGuire, Piketon High School
• Caroline Crowson, Piketon Middle School
• Jessie Vanderpool, Waverly High School
• Roxanne Milar, Western High School
• Sydnee Robinson, Adena High School
• Gracie Caplinger, Adena Middle School
• Madison Beard, Chillicothe High School
• Gwyndalyn Sayers, Chillicothe Middle School
• Jackson Kohls, Huntington High School.

The Paint Valley ADAMH Board is a political subdivision of state government created in 1967 by the Ohio legislature to ensure the availability of community-based addiction and mental health services for the residents of Fayette, Highland, Pickaway, Pike and Ross counties.