Whiz Kids: Top Essay Writers Garner Substance Abuse Task Force Awards

The Middletown Substance Abuse Prevention Task Force has named Madison Barlow as the award-winning young writer whose essay on alcohol awareness will be produced as a public service announcement (PSA).

At a ceremony held Friday night at , Barlow was named as the First Place Winner of the Task Force’s recent . The title comes with the honor of her essay selected to serve as the basis of a PSA about alcohol dangers and to help promote healthy lifestyles for teens, along with a $75 cash prize. Barlow will work with the MSAPTF and a local production company owned by Alan Kerr, NB12, according to a Lori Verderosa, Task Force Coordinator.

Awards were also handed out on Friday night to Naia Barruetabena, for Second Place and a $50 cash prize, and to Julia Hugard, for Third Place and a $25 cash prize. 

The MSAPTF recently celebrated Alcohol Awareness Month with an Essay Contest that invited Middletown writers from grades 5-8 to address the issue of alcohol abuse among young people while suggesting healthy, safe and drug free messages to their peers, according to Verderosa.

The contest judges were Sr. Jane Gerety, RSM, President of Salve Regina University, Sheila Mullowney, Executive Editor of the Newport Daily News, Senator Louis DiPalma (D-Dist.12) and Ramona Mello, Child & Family Services’ Director of Community and School Based Services. 

The awards ceremony presenters on Friday night included Middletown Town Council Vice President Bruce Long, Dr. Gerry Willis, Dean of Students at Salve Regina University and Alan Kerr, of NB12 Multi Media Productions.

The Task Force also thanked the following community members for their contributions to the event: Ron Heroux for the photography, Margarita Salek for the program graphic design work, Chaves Garden Center for the plants, Tim Sunn and the Gaudet Middle School staff for their advertising and recruitment efforts. 

Congratulations to all the winners!