2014 Red Ribbon Rallies Poster, Poetry & Essay Contests Lakeland Area Winners

InnerAct Alliance is proud to announce the winners of its Poster, Poetry, and Essay Contests for Fifth Grade students in the greater Lakeland area schools. Contest participants were recognized during the Red Ribbon Rallies last week on May 6, 2014 at The Lakeland Center.

The anti-drug rallies focus on reinforcing critical substance abuse resistance skills before students enter middle school in the fall. Students were challenged to use their creative talents to compose essays, write poems, or draw posters to illustrate topical messages about the dangers of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. Overall winners in each category will be awarded cash prizes of $100 (first place), $50 (second place), and $25 (third place) in each contest category.

Congratulations to Lakeland Area Rallies Contest Overall Prize Winners:

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

Poster Category                  
1^st Place $100.00 - Salvador Palacios, from Carlton Palmore
2^nd Place $ 50.00 - Lehla Fisher, from North McKeel                 
3^rd Place $ 25.00 - Alex Martinez, from Cleveland Court

Poetry Category  
1^st Place $100.00 - Zariya Carlton, from Dr. N. E. Roberts
2^nd Place $ 50.00 - Daniel Matlick, from Carlton Palmore
3^rd Place $ 25.00 - Ashley Brooks, from North Lakeland

Essay Category  
1^st Place $100.00 - Analiz Fitzsimmons, from Highland Grove
2^nd Place $ 50.00 - Taylor Arnold, from North McKeel
3^rd Place $ 25.00 - Jeshleyka Gonzalez, from Carlton Palmore

School with the Most Contest Participants Overall – North McKeel Elementary

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

Poster Category  
1^st Place $100.00 - Jovanna Munoz, from Padgett
2^nd Place $ 50.00 - Fara Troiana, from South McKeel
3^rd Place $ 25.00 - Jezelyn Perez, from Scott Lake

Poetry Category  
1^st Place $100.00 - Kaley Tamanini, from St. Joseph 
2^nd Place $ 50.00 - Heather Capel, from Kathleen
3^rd Place $ 25.00 - Dana Sanchez, from Churchwell

Essay Category  
1^st Place $100.00 - McKenna Blevins, from Wendell Watson
2^nd Place $ 50.00 - Brielle Jerkins, from Scott Lake
3^rd Place $ 25.00 - Hailey Strebin, from South McKeel

School with the Most Contest Participants Overall – Lincoln Academy

Guest speaker for the Rallies 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 all 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 will be held on May 13 at 10:00 a.m. in the Polk State College Gym. Contest winners for those schools will be announced tomorrow.

The mission of InnerAct Alliance is to reduce the abuse and underage use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs through: Community Awareness and Involvement; Prevention Education; Economic Support; and Leadership Development. The 501(c)(3) nonprofit agency is proud to offer substance abuse prevention to the Hardee, Highlands and Polk County communities with services including science-based education in elementary and middle schools, drug-free puppet shows, informative presentations and family-oriented awareness events that touch the lives of youth, parents, families, businesses, faith-based organizations, community groups and others in need with an important substance abuse message.

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