On Nov. 2, Orlando Elks Lodge Drug Awareness Education Chair, Master Deputy Carmen Rivera, held an award ceremony for the third, fourth and fifth graders from Waterford Elementary for participating in the Drug Awareness poster contest. This year’s theme was Be Kind to Your Mind — Live Drug-Free.

Students ages 8 to 11 worked closely with art teacher Donna Lindsay and Rivera. They watched a video on drug awareness, and Lindsay and Rivera talked to them about how drugs are harmful and can cause serious illness. Many students participated, but the top 13 students’ artwork captured their unique thought process and messages through art.

The first place winner, Elsie Hibbard, received $100. She said, “I wanted others to see how black and gray your life can turn when you don’t have a mind of your own.” Then she said that she wanted to make something better for her life. She shows how pretty light and color can bring love of self and those around her. 

The second place winner, Jagger Bohne, received $75. Jagger made a creative drawing, showing how unhappy a person could be with drugs and how wonderful life can be without drugs.

The third place winner, Britney Villafana, received $50. She drew a picture of Jesus with a replica of her dog with a sign saying not to do drugs. Her message was that drugs lead to death and she shows how sad her dog would be without her. Rivera spoke to her mother, Dariana Cruz, who was so surprised and proud of her artwork. She said that when her daughter mentioned the project, she didn’t think twice about it. Then when she saw the artwork on display in the ceremony, she was brought to tears. She hopes that her daughter and all the children remember this contest for the rest of their lives. She thanked the Elks for this project and for making children’s future a priority to keep the country clear of drugs for a better tomorrow.

Rivera shared that “the students enjoyed the presentation and submitted wonderful messages. I had students who expressed how alcohol and drugs were affecting their lives. The staff and I were able to work together and connect them with our school counselors. It’s sad to see these kids so young having to suffer without a parent or knowing someone who died from drug overdose. My message to them as a deputy is to stay away from drugs/alcohol and don’t listen or hang out with friends who will steer you in the wrong direction. Follow the right road and you will succeed and make a beautiful life for yourself and our country.”

Pictured in the front row are Emily Hamilton, Jullian Rivera, Phoenix Swonger, Rosie Hibbard, Elsie Hibbard, Jagger Bohne, Britney Villafana, Graham Roberts, Mariana Green and Victoria Zambrano. In the second row are Master Deputy Carmen Rivera, Lodge Drug Awareness Education Chair; Donna Lindsay, art teacher; Tiara Chimen-Chavez; Alexia Baptiste; Danielle Arbelaez-Willis, principal; and Nylela English.