RUSSELLVILLE - Four Cole R-1 High School students were recognized Thursday for their writing to stop drug abuse.
This is the first time Russellville High School has participated in the AMVETS Against Drug and Alcohol Abuse program, co-sponsored by the AMVETS and AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary.
The theme for the program's annual essay/poem contest was "Stop Abuse Don't Use."
Carol Thompson, commander of AMVETS Post 182 from Columbia, presented awards Thursday to the winners at Russellville High School.
Georgia Ehrhardt won first place, Kamryn Henggeler won second place, Savannah Hunsley won third place and Amanda Moulton won an honorable mention.
AMVETS Post 182 members read all of the pieces aloud and judged them to determine the winners.
"They were just so moving," Thompson said.
The first-place winner received $40, second place received $30, third place received $15, and the honorable mention received a certificate.
Ehrhardt will now go on to the national competition. National awards will be announced in August.
AMVETS, or American Veterans, is a volunteer-led organization formed by World War II veterans of the United States military.
The national AMVETS Against Drug and Alcohol Abuse program encourages local posts to network with local schools to help educate youths about drug and alcohol abuse.
Post 182 has participated for about four years. This year's contest had a record number of entries for high school students - most of them from Russellville.
About 35 area students participated, including about 17 high school students. Eleven Russellville High School students participated.
The goal of the contest, Thompson said, is for students to understand the impact of drug abuse and realize they can make a difference.
"I still see a lot of alcoholism in veterans, and it just affects the families," she said. "The purpose of this contest is for these kids to see that they can stand up and say no. They can reach out to their neighbors, their friends, and say, 'I'm here if you need someone to help you walk through this.'"