Local Elks Club awards student essay and poster winners in drug awareness program
“It’s an excellent activity – writing and an art activity – that makes students aware of staying away from drugs,” said North Fort Myers Academy of the Arts Principal Dr. Douglas Santini.
He is referring to a long-standing campaign by the local Elks Club and its representatives in a drug awareness essay and poster contest.
Thelma Wright-Smith has been involved in the program for the last 14 years in North Fort Myers.
“We always go to the two same schools,” she said, referring to North Fort Myers Academy for the Arts and Bayshore Elementary.
There, she and husband Ken work with school staff and administrators, and award the students that get the message out that drugs aren’t the answer.
“This was important for me to try to help keep children off drugs, and show them there are better things to do,” said Wright-Smith of her long-standing work with this project.
Through Thelma, the North Fort Myers Elks 2742 recently awarded savings bonds and trophies to winners of the Poster and Essay contests titled, “I Have better things to do than Drugs.”
Contests at Bayshore Elementary and North Fort Myers Academy for the Arts schools included third, fourth and fifth graders.
Winners from Bayshore Elementary were:
– Essays – Bond Winners: Logan VanVliet and Rylee Washer
– Posters – Trophy winners:
1st, Annie Crouch
2nd, Caitlen Parkes
3rd, Jennifer Lopez
Winners from N. Ft. Myers Academy for the Arts were:
– Essays – Bond Winners: Hannah Stilwell and Kathryn Thornton
– Posters -Trophy winners:
1st, Kaitlyn West
2nd, Michelle Mischik
3rd, Truman Wagner
“I am the Lodge D/A chairman and the state vice chairman for Drug Awareness,” said Thelma.
“They are great folks,” added Santini. “The students appreciated the awards.”
The next step is a state level, where the Elks will have another contest.
“The winners of the local contest go on to state and then there is a national contest,” she said. “These winners go with other winners within the district which includes areas from Naples to Englewood. Winners will be chosen in February at the district level and sent then to state.”
Husband Ken supports his wife’s project. He is a life member of the Elks and appreciates being part of the North Fort Myers Lodge.
“They stand for everything we believe in, for the kids and the veterans,” he said.
The two will be coordinating with school officials and awarding the prizes.
“The kids really like getting rewarded for their work,” Thelma said. “They get the bonds, trophies and gifts from the Elks.”
Look for an upcoming story in the North Fort Myers Neighbor on the progress of the State awards.