by Kelsey Shea

The Allegheny Elks recognized two students at Allegheny K-8 this morning for their contributions to the Elk’s anti-drug campaign.

The Elks partnered with the Northside Leadership Conference and Allegheny General Hospital Partnership to present a drug awareness program at Allegheny K-8, where students made posters and wrote essays about why they choose to stay drug free.

Today, at an assembly for sixth grade students, Allegheny sixth grader Amirah Winston received an award for her essay, which was the winner from the Allegheny Elks lodge, as well as the entire metropolitan district. Her essay will now go onto the state competition.

“I kind of felt like I was going to win… but I was surprised,” said Winston.

Also at the anti-drug assembly were representatives from Allegheny Youth Development who talked about opportunities in their Boy Scout program, basketball league and coaches from their Judo program gave a demonstration.

Fourth grader Martha Covarrubias Garcia won the lodge’s best poster award, for her rainbow poster.

Both winners received $50 Amazon gift cards from the Elks.

“We too support the anti-drug movement,” said Allegheny 6-8 Principal Toni Kendrick. “We believe that when students are focused on learning and focused on purpose, they stay drug free and are promise ready.”

“We hope to increase the participation next year with more students and teachers getting involved,” said Allegheny Elks lodge #339 Drug Awareness Chairman Joe Brown.