Well, the calendar page has flipped yet again. Is it me or do these months just go faster and faster? In my July column, I talked about all the fun we had this year going out to our local library partners and engaging with the kids for summer reading story times. You might remember from the last two years; another big part of our Schiffel’s Safety Scholars program are the contests we do. I’m delighted with the growth our program has seen. We began the contest portion of the program in 2022, and participation this year — in both the book writing contest and the billboard design contest — has been more than three times what it was in the first year. Not surprisingly, Delaware County’s youth really stepped it up and did not disappoint!
Choosing a winner is always a difficult task, but when you receive so many outstanding entries, it can be even more challenging. For the first time, we received some more “junior and high school themed” book entries — books targeting more of that age group than elementary children. It was fun to have and to read such a wide range of books! Ultimately, our winning author this year ended up being a book with illustrations (more targeted to elementary-aged kids). Is it possible that I’m just still a big kid at heart?
That said, congratulations to our “You Be the Author” winner, Izzy S.! In her book “Alcohol, Smoking & Drugs,” Izzy follows a young girl with many questions for her mom while they are on a day out in the community. We celebrated Izzy at Beanbag Books this past Tuesday with her very own “book signing.” Thank you to Izzy’s family and friends, as well as all of the community partners and elected officials who came out to make her night even more special. Thank you, also, to Beanbag Books for partnering with us the past three years for this super fun event!
Our “You Be the Artist” billboard design contest brought out many traditional and digital artists. This decision was so hard, I had to toss it out to my staff to help me out and get their input! Our winning design was “Drugs Destroy Dreams” submitted by Zinerah M. from Liberty Middle School. Zinerah’s billboard depicts a runner who must hurdle challenges —specifically alcohol, tobacco, and heroin — that appear in his lane as he approaches the finish line. You can find Zinerah’s billboard on 36/37 westbound, as you head toward Delaware from I-71. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention how much talent is out there with the young people in our community. I am truly blown away.
As a reminder, our Schiffel’s Safety Scholars program is a summer reading program that is funded by monies seized from the prosecution of drug offenses. This money is specifically set aside for law enforcement and can be used to help educate our county on the dangers of drugs, vaping, tobacco and alcohol use. We will be at the Delaware County Fair (which begins on Saturday, Sept. 14) and will have a display showing all the amazing billboards that were sent in for the contest. So please, plan to stop by and say “hi” in addition to seeing all the great anti-drug billboards submitted to our contest and the talent that exists in our middle and high school youth.
I am honored to be your prosecutor, and I plan to continue pouring more time and resources into the children of Delaware County. I can think of no better way to reach kids than by reaching them with the minds and creations of their peers. Thank you, Delaware County, for the way you all rally around our children. With all the talent and wisdom I see coming from our youth, I can say with certainty that our future is looking bright!
Melissa A. Schiffel is the Delaware County prosecutor.
