Red Ribbon Fifth Grade Rallies Poster, Poetry and Essay Contests Winter Haven/Haines City Area Winners

Red Ribbon Fifth Grade Rallies Poster, Poetry and Essay Contests
Winter Haven/Haines City Area Winners

InnerAct Alliance is proud to announce the winners of the “Rally for the Facts Poster, Poetry, and Essay Contest” for Fifth Grade Students in the greater Winter Haven/Haines City area schools. Contest participants were recognized during the Red Ribbon Fifth Grade Rallies held on Tuesday, May 15, 2018, at 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., at the Heartland Church, 225 Avenue B NW, in Winter Haven.  

The prevention rally focuses on reinforcing critical substance abuse resistance skills before students enter middle school. Students were challenged to compose essays, write poems, or draw posters to illustrate how they live their lives drug free and show the truth about how most young people do not use drugs or alcohol. 

Overall winners in each category were awarded cash prizes of $100 (first place), $50 (second place), and $25 (third place). Congratulations to the following overall winners:

Winter Haven Area Rallies Contest Overall Prize Winners for 9:30 AM Rally Session

Poster Contest
1st Place $100 - Lisette Juliana Esther Dones from Loughman Oaks
2nd Place $50 - Janeimy Orjales from Loughman Oaks
3rd Place $25 - Karen Martinez from Auburndale Central

Poetry Contest
1st Place $100 - Banjamin Gamache from Loughman Oaks
2nd Place $50 - Leandro Beato from Lake Alfred
3rd Place $25 - Dylan Antoine from Auburndale Central

Essay Contest
1st Place $100 - Alejandro Martinez from Loughman Oaks
2nd Place $50 - Hunter Smith from Lake Alfred
3rd Place $25 - Katelynn Bergeron from Auburndale Central

School with the Most Contest Participants Overall for 9:30 Rally - Loughman Oaks

Winter Haven Area Rallies Contest Overall Prize Winners for 9:30 AM Rally Session

Poster Contest
1st Place $100 - Monica Trevino from Pinewood
2nd Place $50 - Kelly Sanchez from Alturas
3rd Place $25 - Lewis Martinez from Snively

Poetry Contest
1st Place $100 - Adassa Ocasio from Eagle Lake
2nd Place $50 - Guyanan McCaskill from Alturas
3rd Place $25 - Eric Daily from Snively

Essay Contest
1st Place $100 - Vanessa Bell from Snively
2nd Place $50 - Lillian Wilson from Eagle Lake
3rd Place $25 - Adam Mohamed

School with the Most Contest Participants Overall for 11:30 Rally - Snively

Guest speaker for the Rallies was Patrick T. Grady, a former middle and high school educator who travels throughout North America encouraging students to do their best in all their endeavors. Grady is the author of “Who Packs the Parachute,” and co-author of “Teen Power Too,” and “Teen Power and Beyond.”

Another rally for Lakeland area schools was held on May 9, 2018 at 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. at the R.P. Funding Center's Youkey Theatre.  

InnerAct Alliance is proud to have provided substance abuse prevention to the Hardee, Highlands and Polk County communities since 1985 with services including science-based education in elementary and middle schools, teen-driven social marketing, and awareness events that touch the lives of youth, parents, families, businesses, faith-based organizations, community groups and others with an important substance abuse prevention message.

For further information on the Fifth-Grade Rallies, please call InnerAct Alliance at (863) 802-0777.  

                                   

Red Ribbon Fifth Grade Rallies Poster, Poetry & Essay Contests - Lakeland Area Winners

RED RIBBON FIFTH GRADE RALLIES
POSTER, POETRY and ESSAY CONTESTS - LAKELAND AREA WINNERS

Lakeland, FL – InnerAct Alliance is proud to announce the winners of the Red Ribbon Rally for the Facts Poster, Poetry, and Essay Contest for Fifth Grade Students in the greater Lakeland area schools. Contest participants were recognized during the Rallies that took place on May 9, 2018 at 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., at the Youkey Theatre. 

The prevention rallies focus on reinforcing critical substance abuse resistance skills before students enter middle school. Students were challenged to compose essays, write poems, or draw posters to illustrate how they live their lives drug free and show the truth about how most young people do not use drugs or alcohol. 

Overall winners in each category were awarded cash prizes of $100 (first place), $50 (second place), and $25 (third place). Congratulations to the following overall winners:

Lakeland Area Rallies Contest Overall Prize Winners for 9:30 AM Rally Session

Poster Category
1^st Place $100 - John Garrett from Padgett
2nd Place $50 - Olivia Adams from Dr. N.E. Roberts
3rd Place $25 - Amber Thompson from Berkley                    

Poetry Category
1^st Place $100 - Demetrius Kirkland from Medulla                       

2^nd Place $50 - Joliene Rivera from Padgett                                          

3^rd Place $25 - Gavyn Wilson from Purcell                                

Essay Category
1^st Place $100 - Kinsey Carr from Highlands Grove        

2^nd Place $50 - Ethan Murray from Purcell                    

3^rd Place $25 - Melanie Coleman from Winston 

School with the Most Contest Participants Overall - Berkley Academy 

Lakeland Area Rallies Contest Overall Prize Winners for 11:30 AM Rally Session

Poster Category
1^st Place $100 - Heston Birkhold from Lincoln Academy
2nd Place $50 - Noah Hall from South McKeel
3rd Place $25 - Gianna DeThomas from St. Joseph

Poetry Category
1^st Place $100 - Josiah Yeater from Dixieland

2^nd Place $50 - Brayden M. Cordes from South McKeel                  

3^rd Place $25 - Morgan Walsh from St. Paul

Essay Category
1^st Place $100 - Apollo Allison from South McKeel

2^nd Place $50 - Mary Ann Burlen from St. Paul  
3^rd Place $25 - Jacob Everhart from St. Anthony

School with the Most Contest Participants Overall - South McKeel 

Guest speaker for the Rallies was Patrick T. Grady, a former middle and high school educator who travels throughout North America encouraging students to do their best in all their endeavors. Grady is the author of “Who Packs the Parachute,” and co-author of “Teen Power Too,” and “Teen Power and Beyond.”

Another rally for Winter Haven and Haines City area schools was held on May 15, 2018 at 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. at the Heartland Church in Winter Haven. 

InnerAct Alliance is proud to have provided substance abuse prevention to the Hardee, Highlands and Polk County communities since 1985 with services including science-based education in elementary and middle schools, teen-driven social marketing, and awareness events that touch the lives of youth, parents, families, businesses, faith-based organizations, community groups and others with an important substance abuse prevention message.

For further information on the Fifth-Grade Rallies, please call InnerAct Alliance at (863) 802-0777.  

Fifth Graders to Participate in Red Ribbon Rallies on May 9 and May 15, 2018

FIFTH-GRADERS TO PARTICIPATE IN
RED RIBBON RALLIES ON MAY 9 and MAY 15, 2018

Over 6,000 fifth grade students have been invited by InnerAct Alliance to attend Red Ribbon Rallies in May to encourage the choice of a positive lifestyle without the use of drugs. Events will take place on Wednesday, May 9, 2018 at 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. at RP Funding Center in Lakeland for students in the greater Lakeland area, and on Tuesday, May 15, 2018 at 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. at the Heartland Church, 225 Avenue B NW, in Winter Haven for students in the Winter Haven/Haines City area. This is the first time that a second session has been added to the Winter Haven/Haines City rallies.

The prevention rallies focus on reinforcing critical substance abuse resistance skills before students enter middle school. Facts show that the majority of young people choose not to use drugs or alcohol. Instead, they find effective ways to deal with everyday pressures and challenges in their lives without resorting to substance use. The guest speaker is Patrick T. Grady, a former middle and high school educator who travels throughout North America inspiring and encouraging individuals to do their best in their endeavors. Community leaders and law enforcement members will also be on hand to encourage the choice of a positive, healthy lifestyle without the use of drugs.

Fifth grade students have been challenged to participate in the Fifth Grade Rally for The Facts Contest and create original essays, poems, and posters that illustrate how they choose to live their lives drug free and convey the truth about how most young people do not use drugs or alcohol. Contest winners will be recognized during the rallies with cash prizes of $100, $50 and $25 awarded to overall first place winners in each contest category.

The mission of InnerAct Alliance is to reduce the abuse and underage use of harmful substances along with involvement in other risky behaviors while supporting positive healthy decisions through: Community Awareness and Support; Prevention Education; Economic Impact; and Leadership Development. The 501(c)(3) nonprofit agency is proud to have provided substance abuse prevention to the Hardee, Highlands and Polk County communities since 1985 with services including science-based education in elementary and middle schools, teen-driven social marketing, and awareness events that touch the lives of youth, parents, families, businesses, faith-based organizations, community groups and others with an important substance abuse prevention message.

Spring 2018 DEA National Prescription Drug Take Back Event Successfully Nets 1,995 lbs. of Medications

Spring 2018 DEA National Prescription Drug Take Back Event 

Successfully Nets 1,995 lbs. of Medications

StandUP Polk and local law enforcement agencies were proud to participate in the DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back event on Saturday, April 28, 2018 for Polk County residents to turn in expired or unwanted human and pet medication.

An estimated 1,995 pounds of recovered pharmaceuticals were collected and safely disposed of via incineration. The 8 drop-off sites that participated in the Spring 2018 Medication Take Back included Auburndale Police Department, Bartow Police Department, Haines City Police Department, Lake Alfred Police Department, Lake Hamilton Police Department, Lake Wales Police Department, Lakeland Police Department, and Winter Haven Police Department.

The latest event brings the total for collections held in Polk County to 15,553 pounds of recovered pharmaceuticals dating back to 2010.

Unwanted medications may also be taken to the county’s six permanent drop sites, funded by Givewell Community Foundation in Lakeland, at the Police Department locations in: Auburndale (2 Bobby Green Plaza, weekdays 8-5); Haines City (35400 Hwy 27, weekdays 8-5); Lake Alfred (190 N. Seminole Avenue, 24hrs/7days); Lake Hamilton (100 Smith Avenue, weekdays 8-5); Lakeland (219 N. Massachusetts Avenue, 24hrs/7days); and Winter Haven (125 N. Lake Silver Drive NW, weekdays 8-5).  To avoid harming lakes and ground water, please do not dispose of medication in the toilet.  

StandUP Polk is a community coalition working together to prevent harm and promote health through education, public awareness, and advocacy including strategies to prevent youth substance abuse. For more information, please contact StandUP Polk at (863) 802-0777.

National Prescription Drug Take- Back Day Saturday, April 28, 2018

National Prescription Drug Take- Back Day Saturday, April 28, 2018

StandUP Polk and local law enforcement agencies are proud to join The Drug Enforcement Administration and its national and community partners for National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on Saturday, April 28, 2018, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, for citizens to dispose of all unwanted, unneeded, and expired medications in a safe manner.

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day provides a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of medication. Many Americans are not aware that medicines in home cabinets are highly susceptible to misuse and abuse. Studies show that many are obtained from the home medicine cabinet of family and friends. In addition, many people do not know how to properly dispose of unused medicine, often flushing them down the toilet or throwing them away – both potential safety and health hazards.

Our community’s Prescription Drug Take-Back Day will include the following 8 locations in Polk County for citizens to turn in unused, expired, or unwanted Human and Pet Medications, as well as over the counter medications, vitamins, and other medication in liquid and solid form, for safe and proper disposal. Medications should be placed in a clear, air-tight plastic bag. Drop-off locations from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm are:

Auburndale Police Department – 2 Bobby Green Plaza, Auburndale, FL
Bartow Police Department – 450 North Broadway Avenue, Bartow, FL Haines City Police Department – 35400 Highway 27, Haines City, FL Lake Alfred Police Department – 190 N. Seminole Avenue, Lake Alfred, FL
Lake Hamilton Police Department – 100 Smith Avenue, Lake Hamilton, FL
Lake Wales Police Department - 133 E. Tillman Avenue, Lake Wales, FL Lakeland Police Department – 219 N. Massachusetts Avenue, Lakeland, FL Winter Haven Police Department – 125 N. Lake Silver Drive NW, Winter Haven, FL

Unwanted medications may also be taken to the county’s permanent drop sites, funded by Givewell Community Foundation, at the Police Department locations in: Auburndale (weekdays 8-5); Haines City (weekdays 8-5); Lake Alfred (24hrs/7days); Lake Hamilton (weekdays 8-5); Lakeland (24hrs/7days); and Winter Haven (weekdays 8-5).  To avoid harming lakes and ground water, please do not dispose of medication in the toilet.  

Previous medication collections held in Polk County since 2010 have resulted in over 13,500 pounds of recovered pharmaceuticals safely disposed of via incineration.  For more information on the local Prescription Drug Take-Back event, please contact StandUP Polk at (863) 802-0777.

Tobacco Prevention Education at The Lakeland Rodeo

InnerAct Alliance representatives Donna Swygert (left), Oliva May (right), and Mike Flora (not pictured) joined Juli Davis of Tobacco Free Florida (middle), a major sponsor for the Lakeland Pro Rodeo held on the weekend of January 26-27, 2018, to educate the community about the dangers of tobacco use including dipping, chewing and cigarette smoking. 

UthMpact Leadership Day - Business & Agriculture

UthMpact Leadership Day - Business & Agriculture

UthMpact Class VII Student Leaders participated in their last Leadership Day with the theme Business with a twist of Agriculture. Students visited the Polk County Farm Bureau, Peace River Packing Company, Florida’s Natural Growers, the HEART program at Warner University, and the Lightsey Cattle Ranch. The students learned that agricultural is a huge business in Polk County and an industry that our citizens rely on greatly!