Talbot Goes Purple announces student video contest winners

EASTON – Talbot Goes Purple this week announced the winners of the substance abuse prevention student video contest that ended December 31, 2020 in Talbot County.

Long-time Talbot Goes Purple (TGP) supporter Spring & Associates sponsored the contest, which ran from Sept. 1 through Dec. 31, 2020. Open to all Talbot County students, the project involved the creation of a short video about substance use prevention. The first-place winner receives a $500 gift card, second place a $300 gift card and $200 for third place.

Maguire Perry, a 10th grader at Saints Peter and Paul, won first-place with his video about the importance of medication storage and disposal. Perry focused on this year’s educational message that 80% of heroin users previously misused prescription opioids. In his video, Perry explains how to dispose of unneeded medications at the 24-hour drop box outside of the Talbot County Sheriff’s Office.

“I have been taught from an early age by my parents and Officer Tim, the DARE officer, about the problems associated with drug abuse,” said Perry. “I know I’m not going to use drugs and I don’t want to see any of my friends use them either.”

Kate Chapple, a senior at Easton High School, submitted the second-place video, which begins with one of TGP’s educational messages that alcohol is the most widely used substance among teens. Chapple explains that she is staying drug-free so she can achieve her goals, including attending college, where she plans to play softball and study to become a lawyer.

“The Talbot Goes Purple organization really means a lot to me because of all that it stands for,” said Chapple. “I have seen firsthand how drugs and alcohol can affect a person’s life and the people around them. I think it is very important that the message is spread widely, especially in my generation.”

The third-place video, from Ben McCalmon, an 11th grader at SSPP, is a dramatic demonstration of the devastating effects of opioid use. Titled, ‘A Friend’s Nightmare,’ the creative piece shows the loss of a friend from a student’s point-of-view.

“Substance abuse is very real,” said McCalmon. “I see it all the time. It’s essential that our youth are educated on this topic because they will run into a related situation sooner or later if they haven’t already. I believe showing these videos, produced by our own youth, is a big step towards the right direction.”

The winning videos are viewable on the TGP You Tube Channel (Talbot Goes Purple) and website at talbotgoespurple.org. The videos also will air on local cable channels throughout January and early February.

Talbot Goes Purple (TGP) is an educational and awareness prevention program that empowers our youth and our community to ‘Go Purple’ as a sign of taking a stand against substance abuse. The purpose of the program is to promote the ‘new conversation’ – one that includes prescription drugs, alcohol, marijuana and e-cigarettes. TGP focuses on educating students about the dangers of tobacco, alcohol and other drugs, and works toward preventing kids from beginning to use these substances in the first place.

With schools closed, activities cancelled and many kids stuck at home, substance use prevention remains critically important. While the pandemic poses challenges and prohibits in-person activities, TGP remains committed to finding ways to support our youth in staying drug-free during these unprecedented times.

If you have a student who would like to participate in our activities, please email talbotgoespurple@gmail.com for more information.

An initiative from the Talbot County Sheriff’s Office and Tidewater Rotary, in partnership with Talbot County Public Schools, Saints Peter & Paul School and the Mid-Shore Community Foundation, Talbot Goes Purple empowers our youth and our community to ‘Go Purple’ as a sign of taking a stand against substance abuse.

More information about Talbot Goes Purple is available at www.talbotgoespurple.org. Find us on Facebook @TalbotGoesPurple or contact us at talbotgoespurple@gmail.com.

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Talbot Goes Purple is a component fund of the Mid-Shore Community Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization – donations to which are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.