St. Ursula Student Wins State's Attorney's Anti-Drug Contest

One student at Parkville's St. Ursula School will end Thursday a little richer than she began it, thanks to her creativity and artistic skill.

Elizabeth Thomas, an eighth grader, was named the grand prize winner in State's Attorney Scott Shellenberger's anti-drug poster contest, according to a news release from the state's attorney's office.

Sixth, seventh and eighth grade students from 28 Baltimore County middle schools submitted over 3,000 posters with an anti-drug/alcohol theme to the contest and a panel of community leaders representing business, law enforcement and government judged Thomas' to be the very best.

Students who pulled down honors in the contest will be presented with their prizes during a ceremony at Towson's historic courthouse Thursday afternoon, according to the news release. The prizes, which range from $350 to $750, are paid for with assets seized from drug dealers.

"[The] contest was devised to let students articulate their anti-drug/alcohol feelings and send a positive message to their peers about the dangers of substance abuse," the release states. "The use of these once illegally obtained funds to help educate our children is one of the most valuable ways to utilize this money."