The 2017 theme is “Today We Choose Our Tomorrow” and the contest’s goal is to deliver a positive no-use message to youth regarding alcohol and other drugs. The contest encourages students to challenge their thinking and design a poster with a positive message that may influence others to make the right choices and stay alcohol-free.

With support from the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation and Cummins Jamestown Engine Plant, 20,000 bookmarks were printed and are being distributed to all county schools, libraries and youth organizations. The new bookmarks feature the 12 finalists’ posters from the 2016 poster contest and serve as an announcement of the 2017 contest. It is hoped that the bookmarks will not only encourage students to participate in the 2017 contest, but will also challenge their thinking to make healthy choices throughout their lives and ultimately deliver a positive “no use” message.

The contest is open to all Chautauqua County students in third through 12th grades. The contest is divided into three categories: A (third through fifth grades); B (sixth through eighth grades); and C (ninth through 12th grades). All posters submitted to the contest will be entered in a preliminary judging process that will eliminate all but four posters in each category. The final 12 posters will then compete in a final judging at an award ceremony scheduled for April 5. In addition to the $100 grand prize, there will be a $50 prize for first place, a $25 prize for second place and a $20 prize for third place. The 12 finalists will be featured on bookmarks that will announce the 2018 contest.

Contest entry information is being sent to all county schools. Information is also available by calling the CASAC offices at 664-3608 and 366-4623 or can be found on CASAC’s website at www.casacweb.org. Posters must be dropped off at either CASAC office by Friday, March 17. CASAC’s Jamestown office is located at 501 W. Third St., Suites 3 & 4 Sprinchorn Building. CASAC’s Dunkirk office has recently moved and is located at 51 E. Third St., in the Gateway Building.

Because of the large number of entries, the contest rules are strictly adhered to. The contest rules are:

¯ 11-inch by 17-inch paper or poster board only. Other sizes will be disqualified;

¯ original artwork only;

¯ color or black and white posters accepted;

¯ no computer generated posters accepted;

¯ no three-dimensional posters accepted;

¯ no trademark or publicly known figures accepted;

¯ the theme must be noted somewhere on the front of the poster;

¯ back of poster must indicate: Student’s name, school, grade, teacher and phone number. Writing must be legible to be qualified; and

¯ posters will become property of CASAC.