DOWNINGTOWN, PA — Communities that Care of Greater Downingtown (CTC) has announced the winners of its 5th annual Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug (ATOD) Prevention Youth Video Contest. The contest invited 7th to 12th grade students from the Downingtown Area School District to create motivational video messages about ATOD use, mental health, or student life, offering a platform to share their perspectives as teens in today’s world.
First-place honors were awarded to a group of four students—Anush Vadla, Ethan Szoke, and Siddharth Macherla, all 9th graders, and Gabby Leonmelo, a 12th grader. Their winning video provided a compelling look into the challenges teens face today and highlighted what young people need from adults to navigate these issues.
Second place went to Quinn Staszowski, an 8th grader, who produced a video exploring the impact that parental behavior has on their children’s decisions around drugs and alcohol. The submission examined how parental influence could either support or hinder youth depending on the example set at home.
The contest prizes included cash awards of up to $250, with each winner also receiving recognition on CTC of Greater Downingtown’s social media platforms. Additionally, the first-place winners received four tickets to the Philadelphia Phillies home game held on Tuesday, April 29, 2025. To view the winning videos, visit CTC’s YouTube channel.
CTC organized the contest not only to highlight youth creativity and expression but also to promote a positive message about substance use prevention. The initiative aims to celebrate the majority of teens in the community who choose not to engage in drug or alcohol use. Data from the 2023 Pennsylvania Youth Survey (PAYS) supports this perspective, showing that 88.8% of Downingtown Area School District youth reported no alcohol use in the past 30 days, while 94.1% stated they had not used marijuana during the same period.
By encouraging dialogue on these critical topics, CTC of Greater Downingtown continues its mission to empower young people while fostering a supportive community environment. The video contest serves as a platform to amplify youth voices and inspire adults to play an active role in guiding the next generation toward healthier choices.
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