CHILLICOTHE — The Paint Valley Alcohol, Drug Addiction, and Mental Health Board (ADAMH Board) held the 11th annual Write in Red Essay Contest during Red Ribbon Week Oct. 21-25. The essay contest was for all middle and high school students in Fayette, Highland, Pickaway, Pike and Ross counties.
Students were provided a red pen and asked to write an essay about ways to prevent drug, alcohol, and tobacco abuse. There were 15 school districts in the Paint Valley ADAMH catchment area that participated in this year’s essay contest. Scholarships in the amount of $500 were awarded to the winning contestant of each county. Scholarships can be used by the student toward any accredited college or university.
The 2024 winners are:
“Each year the students provide the best essays, touching our hearts and opening our eyes as we realize how the environment impacts their lives,” said Paint Valley ADAMH Board Executive Director Melanie Swisher. “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 sharing their determination to remain drug free.”
Scholarship winners also received $100 for winning their school’s essay contest as did the following Write in Red Essay Contest school winners:
This is the 11th year the Paint Valley ADAMH Board has held the essay contest.

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