Weaverville, California (10/25/2023) – Partnership in Action for Trinity Health (PATH) coalition, Trinity County Office of Education (TCOE) Tobacco Use Prevention and Education (TUPE) program, and Human Response Network (HRN) offered a poster contest to Trinity County students in 6th through 8th grade to celebrate Red Ribbon Week held October 23rd through 31st. The purpose of the contest is to bring awareness to the effects of drugs, alcohol, and tobacco and to promote a safer, healthier community through this year’s theme, “Be Kind to Your Mind. Live Drug Free.”

The number of entries increased this year to 97, with students using a variety of mediums including digital art. Three entries tied for first place: Aile Nielson-Ayers, 8th grade, Junction City School; Savannah Dunn, 8th grade, Weaverville Elementary School-Trinity Preparatory Academy; and Azella Osborne with Brooklyn Connor, 6th grade, Hayfork Elementary School. Trinity Biggs, 6th grade, Hayfork Elementary School, won second place and Brodee Mather, 8th grade, Douglas City School took third place. Prizes include Amazon gift cards worth $100, $50, and $10 for the top winners and for each entry an ice cream gift certificate to Up North Confectionary and Mercantile or the Dairy Store. 

The 97 entries went through a preliminary judging process by PATH members and TCOE employees.  The final judging for the top 10 posters was performed by Trinity County Superior Court Judge, Mike Harper; Trinity County Supervisors Jill Cox, Liam Gogan, and Ric Leutwyler; Chief of Probation Ruby Fiero; Weaverville Fire District Chief, Todd Corbett; Trinity County Public Health, Coordinator of Equity and Health Programs, Kirsten Ford; and Executive Director, Trinity County Arts Council, Karla Avila. 

All students’ artwork will be displayed in the windows of downtown Weaverville Historic District through October 31st including Tammie’s  Book Store, Mountain Goat Kids, Up North Confectionary and Mercantile, Main Street Gallery, Mama Llama’s, My Revival, Tri County Homes and Land, The Trinity Journal, Mountain Marketplace, Creative Prints by Hannah, The Watershed Center, Wildflower Hair Company, Main Street Shoes, Gold Rush Jewelers, Trinity Bistro and Deli, Trinity Visitors Center, Jake Jackson Museum, and the Nugget Restaurant. 

The PATH coalition thanks all the judges and businesses for supporting their artwork and vision for “Be Kind to Your Mind. Live Drug Free.” Find out more about PATH on the PATH website www.healthy-trinity.org and on Facebook www.facebook.com/partnershipinactionfortrinityhealth, or contact Karen Compton at Human Response Network at (530) 623-2024 or kcompton@hrntrinity.org for more information.