By Gig Robinson
For The West Virginia Alcohol Beverage Control Administration

 ^{Wirt County High School wins top honors in WVABCA PSA contest}

^{Charleston — The West Virginia Alcohol Beverage Control Administration (WVABCA) is excited to announce Wirt County High School as the first-place winner of the 13th annual NO School Spirits Public Service Announcement (PSA) contest. This year, the contest received 46 video PSAs from nearly 350 students, all focused on the dangers of underage drinking and drinking and driving.} 

^{The winning PSA created by Wirt County High School students will be broadcast on social media, television and selected radio stations from mid-April to mid-June. This timeframe strategically aligns with National Alcohol Awareness Month (April) and the prom and graduation season. A special awards event is scheduled for April 16th at 2:00 p.m. at Wirt County High School. The $5,000 first-place award will be presented to the Tigers student body during an event with honored guests.} 

^{WVABCA Commissioner Fred Wooton emphasized the importance of the program, stating “If this program saves the life of one student, it is well worth it.” Underage drinking and drinking and driving can result in life-changing events. Wooton acknowledged the partners whose support is vital for continued WVABCA educational initiatives. Wooton added, “Our education programs would not be possible without funding from State Farm®, the National Alcohol Beverage Control Association (NABCA), and the West Virginia Governor’s Highway Safety Program.”} 

^{Nicholas County Career & Technical Center Winning PSA}

^{The West Virginia Alcohol Beverage Control Administration (WVABCA) is excited to announce Nicholas County Career & Technical Center as the second-place winner of the 13th annual NO School Spirits Public Service Announcement (PSA) contest. This year, the contest received 46 video PSAs from nearly 350 students, all focused on the dangers of underage drinking and drinking and driving.}

^{New this year, both the first place PSA created by Wirt County High School students and the second-place PSA will be broadcast on social media and television from mid-April to mid-June. This timeframe strategically aligns with National Alcohol Awareness Month (April) and the prom and graduation season.}

^{A special awards event is scheduled for April 24th at 10:30 a.m. at Nicholas County Career & Technical Center. The $2,500 second-place award will be presented to the CTC student body during an event with honored guests.}

^{WVABCA Commissioner Fred Wooton emphasized the importance of the program, stating “If this program saves the life of one student, it is well worth it.” Underage drinking and drinking and driving can result in life-changing events. Wooton acknowledged the partners whose support is vital for continued WVABCA educational initiatives. Wooton added, “Our education programs would not be possible without funding from State Farm®, the National Alcohol Beverage Control Association (NABCA), and the West Virginia Governor’s Highway Safety Program.”}

^{Robert L. Bland Middle School Winning PSA}

^{The West Virginia Alcohol Beverage Control Administration (WVABCA) is excited to announce Robert L. Bland Middle School as the third-place winner of the 13th annual NO School Spirits Public Service Announcement (PSA) contest. This year, the contest received 46 video PSAs from nearly 350 students, all focused on the dangers of underage drinking and drinking and driving.}

^{A special awards event is scheduled for April 29th at 10:00 a.m. at Robert L. Bland Middle School. The $1,000 third-place award will be presented to the Patriots student body during an event with honored guests.}

^{WVABCA Commissioner Fred Wooton emphasized the importance of the program, stating “If this program saves the life of one student, it is well worth it.” Underage drinking and drinking and driving can result in life-changing events. Wooton acknowledged the partners whose support is vital for continued WVABCA educational initiatives. Wooton added, “Our education programs would not be possible without funding from State Farm®, the National Alcohol Beverage Control Association (NABCA), and the West Virginia Governor’s Highway Safety Program.”}

^{Notre Dame High School Winning PSA}

^{The West Virginia Alcohol Beverage Control Administration (WVABCA) is excited to announce Notre Dame High School as the fourth-place winner of the 13th annual NO School Spirits Public Service Announcement (PSA) contest. This year, the contest received 46 video PSAs from nearly 350 students, all focused on the dangers of underage drinking and drinking and driving.}

^{A special awards event is scheduled for April 29th at 1:00 p.m. at St. Mary’s Grade School (next door to Notre Dame High School- 107 East Pike St.). The $750.00 fourth-place award will be presented to the Fighting Irish student body during an event with honored guests.}

^{WVABCA Commissioner Fred Wooton emphasized the importance of the program, stating “If this program saves the life of one student, it is well worth it.” Underage drinking and drinking and driving can result in life-changing events. Wooton acknowledged the partners whose support is vital for WVABCA educational initiatives. Wooton added, “Our education programs would not be possible without funding from State Farm®, the National Alcohol Beverage Control Association (NABCA), and the West Virginia Governor’s Highway Safety Program.”}

^{Wheeling Central Catholic High School Winning PSA}

^{The West Virginia Alcohol Beverage Control Administration (WVABCA) is excited to announce Wheeling Central Catholic High School as the fifth-place winner of the 13th annual NO School Spirits Public Service Announcement (PSA) contest. This year, the contest received 46 video PSAs from nearly 350 students, all focused on the dangers of underage drinking and drinking and driving.}

^{A special awards event is scheduled for April 20 at 1:30 p.m. at Wheeling Central Catholic High School. The $750.00 fifth-place award will be presented to the Maroon Knights during an event with honored guests.}

^{WVABCA Commissioner Fred Wooton emphasized the importance of the program, stating “If this program saves the life of one student, it is well worth it.” Underage drinking and drinking and driving can result in life-changing events. Wooton acknowledged the partners whose support is vital for continued WVABCA educational initiatives. Wooton added, “Our education programs would not be possible without funding from State Farm®, the National Alcohol Beverage Control Association (NABCA), and the West Virginia Governor’s Highway Safety Program.”}

^{Mingo Central High School Winning PSA}

^{The West Virginia Alcohol Beverage Control Administration (WVABCA) is excited to announce Mingo Central High School as the sixth-place winner of the 13th annual NO School Spirits Public Service Announcement (PSA) contest. This year, the contest received 46 video PSAs from nearly 350 students, all focused on the dangers of underage drinking and drinking and driving.}

^{A special awards event is scheduled for May 1st at 1:00 p.m. at Mingo Central High School. The $500.00 sixth-place award will be presented to the Miners student body during an event with honored guests.}

^{WVABCA Commissioner Fred Wooton emphasized the importance of the program, stating “If this program saves the life of one student, it is well worth it.” Underage drinking and drinking and driving can result in life-changing events. Wooton acknowledged the partners whose support is vital for continued WVABCA educational initiatives. Wooton added, “Our education programs would not be possible without funding from State Farm®, the National Alcohol Beverage Control Association (NABCA), and the West Virginia Governor’s Highway Safety Program.”}

^{About WVABCA:The West Virginia Legislature created the West Virginia Alcohol Beverage Control Administration in 1935. The WVABCA was organized to give effect to the mandate of the people expressed in the repeal of the state prohibition amendment and to assure the greatest degree of freedom that is consistent with the health, safety, and good morals of the people of West Virginia. The Mission of the WVABCA is to regulate, enforce, and control the sales and distribution, transportation, storage, and consumption of alcoholic liquors and nonintoxicating beer as mandated by the West Virginia Liquor Control and Nonintoxicating Beer Act.}