By Gig Robinson
For West Virginia Alcohol Beverage Control Administration
Charleston – The West Virginia Alcohol Beverage Control Administration (WV ABCA) 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 Schol 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. WV ABCA 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 lifechanging events. Wooton acknowledged the partners whose support is vital for continued WV ABCA 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.”
Additional 2025-2026 winning schools:
2nd Place ($2,500.00)- Nicholas County Career and Technical Center; 3rd Place ($1,000.00)- Robert L. Bland
Middle School; 4th Place ($750.00)- Notre Dame High School; 5th Place ($750.00)- Wheeling Central Catholic
High School; and 6th Place ($500.00) – Mingo Central High School.
About WV ABCA:
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.
