On Monday, those students were recognized for winning first prize in the annual “No School Spirits” PSA contest, held by the West Virginia Alcohol Beverage Control Administration. The statewide competition asks high school and middle school students to submit public service announcement videos that warn about the dangers of drinking and driving as well as underage drinking.
Not only did the winning team receive $5,000 for Tolsia High School, but their submission will be played on TV and radio commercials during prom and graduation season this spring in an effort to stop young students from making decisions with potentially tragic consequences.
“At the end of the day, it’s really sad and it rips the guts out of communities and families and everything else and you don’t want to be one,” Gov. Justice said. “And what these great kids have done…will actually save a life. It may save several.”
This marked the sixth year of the “No School Spirits” competition, with over 150 students and more schools participating than ever before.
The winning submission, titled Moments that Matter, can be viewed here:
Prize money has also been awarded to the second and third place finishers. A team of students from Berkeley Springs High School were the runners-up and received $2,500. While a group from Webster County won the third prize of $1,000.