S.J. schools among winners in anti-drinking campaign

An 18-year-old Hudson County student has won the 2008 "Proms and Alcohol Don't Mix" contest, a program for New Jersey high school seniors designed to increase awareness of the dangers of underage drinking.

A script developed by Kimberly Flores, of Jersey City, was selected from 50 entries as the grand-prize winner in the competition, according to a news release from the state attorney general's office. Flores is a senior at Knowledge & Advanced Skills (KAS) Prep of the Hudson County Schools of Technology.

Maple Shade and Haddonfield Memorial were among high schools receiving honorable mention.

Now in its second year, the initiative asks high school seniors to create scripts for a 30-second television public service announcement. The winning school's students are featured in the spot, which can be viewed at www.nj.gov/lps/abc.

"Getting students involved in public awareness campaigns helps young people understand that they can celebrate milestones in their lives like high school proms and graduations while staying safe and sober," said Attorney General Anne Milgram. "I commend all of the students for their thoughtfulness and for participating in this effort."