St. Olaf student wins state Knights of Columbus drug abuse awareness poster contest; advances to next level

Friday, Feb. 19, 2016

BOUNTIFUL — Brianna Valcarel, a 6th-grader at Saint Olaf School, was awarded “Best in State” for the Utah Knights of Columbus Drug and Alcohol Awareness Poster Contest.

The award, which was a complete surprise to Brianna, was presented Feb. 5 at a ceremony after the school Mass. Presenters were Tom Giron, Knights of Columbus state poster chairman, and Paul Tinker, recorder, Council 5502. 

The annual contest, which is open to students age 8 to 14, requires that each poster reflect either the theme of Alcohol Awareness and Abuse or Drug Awareness and Abuse.

The posters are judged on several criteria: slogan, visuals, message and overall impact. Judging is by a panel of young people, Knights, teachers, administrators, students, substance abuse counselors and law enforcement officials.

 Brianna’s poster was entered in the 11-14 age bracket. She had never entered any type of contest in her life, she said, so winning was a big surprise.  

“I really didn’t think I was a very good artist, but wanted to show the comparison between a person who does drugs and one who does not,” Brianna said. “I created a face of a person and divided it in half. One half shows the face of a non-drug user – happy, healthy, smart, goes to school and has a good life. The other half of the face shows a drug user who is sad; has pale, bad skin; and  is unhealthy, depressed, doesn’t go to school and has a very bad life. I hoped it would be a good way to see what drugs can do.”

Her poster now advances to the international competition, where it will be judged with entries from around the world. Winners will be announced in June.

Courtesy of St. Olaf School