Two Montgomery Blair High School students have won the ‘Speak Up Save a Life’ student video PSA contest organized by the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office.
Hundreds of middle and high school students and parents attended the Save a Student Summit last Saturday, which focused on the dangers of opioid use and fentanyl, and concluded with the State Attorney’s Office announcing the ‘Speak Up Save a Life’ video contest winners.
Blair juniors Erol Kalayoglu and Zachary Carter won first place and a $4,750 prize for their video “You Have One Life, Not Nine.” Additionally, MCPS students chose the video as their fan favorite.
T.J. Lau from Julius West Middle School in Rockville won second place and $2,000 for “2mg Killer.” “Protect a Friend,” by Sully Dettleff and Thomas Cooney from The Heights School in Potomac, secured third place and $750.
Magnolia Companies and The Good Samaritan Fund surprised the remaining ten finalist groups with $500 each in honor of Michael Pisarra and Matthew Loudon, two young community members lost to fentanyl.
“Through this contest, we enlist middle and high school students to help spread awareness and life-saving messages about illicit opioid use and the dangers of fentanyl,” said Montgomery County State’s Attorney John McCarthy. “We received more than 600 entries, many from groups of students working together, meaning thousands participated. The production value and creativity was outstanding.”
“While reviewing the entries we noted a common theme this year,” McCarthy continued. “Many of the videos focused on the pressure and stress of academics and teen life. We are gaining insight from this video contest. We need to help our young people make better choices and support them, so they don’t turn to drugs as a means of coping with the anxiety they have in their lives.”
Photo Courtesy of the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office