Communities In Schools of Pennsylvania (CISPA), an affiliate of the nation's largest dropout-prevention organization, will hold a video contest for high school students to promote CISPA’s alcohol, tobacco and drug prevention campaign My Voice PA. CISPA will give out $600 in prize money to winners of the contest, which will be held from March 1-31.

“Drugs and alcohol play a large role in our dropout crisis,” said CISPA President and State Director Nathan Mains. “Empowering students to illustrate their feelings about their drug-free lives will only strengthen their resolve and keep them on the path to graduation.”

Students will be asked to create original videos that answer the question, “Why do you choose to be drug and alcohol free?” All videos are required to be between one and three minutes. The videos will be submitted through the My Voice PA Facebook page.

The My Voice PA campaign promotes the theme, “My Life. My Choice.” It presents teens with the idea that they are in control of the path their lives will take, and that a drug-free path will lead them to a successful future. For more information about the campaign, visit www.myvoicepa.org. 

The first-place winner of the contest will receive $250; second place, $200; third place, $150. CISPA will select winners based on creativity and originality. The contest is open to all Pennsylvania students ages 13 and older in grades eight through 12.