SYRACUSE – The Eckerd Drug Quiz Show today announces the finalists of its annual T-shirt design contest. This year’s contest, sponsored by Raymour & Flanigan Furniture and Eagle Newspapers, featured the talents of elementary and middle school artists in grades 3-8 from across New York State. Students were challenged to create an original design that conveys messages of drug abuse prevention through healthy alternatives and remaining substance-free. A total of 115 entries were submitted. The overall winner of the contest will have their artwork displayed on this year’s Drug Quiz Show T-shirts.

Designs were reviewed by a judging panel comprising Beth Toomey, Reality Check coordinator at Prevention Network/OCAA; Tom Gilhooly, art director at Eric Mower and Associates; and Brian Burmeister, public relations manager at Raymour & Flanigan Furniture. They selected the top eight designs based on originality, a solid prevention message and interesting communications style. Each finalist will receive an Eckerd Pharmacy gift certificate and Certificate of Recognition. 

This year’s first place winners were Gabriella Simiele, a fourth grader from Jamesville Elementary School; Joseph Burns, former overall contest winner for the past three years and a sixth grader at St. Mathew’s School in East Syracuse; and Virginia Clark, an eighth grader at Dryden Middle School in Tompkins County. Other finalists included: Elizabeth DiGennaro (fourth grade), Sam Griffiths (fourth grade), Marissa Doing (fifth grade), Kali Wallenbeck (sixth grade) and Rebekah Kahn (seventh grade).