'If You Drop Out, You Lose Out,' one of the posters read.

'If You Drop Out, You Lose Out,' one of the posters read.
By HAROLD GWIN
VINDICATOR EDUCATION WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- More than 500 Mahoning County schoolchildren put their best efforts into creating a message that encourages young people to stay in school.
Their entries in the juvenile court advisory board's second annual Stay In School poster contest for children in kindergarten through the fourth grade adorn the walls of the Mahoning County Juvenile Justice Center at 300 E. Scott St.
The event is designed as an anti-truancy initiative to make both children and parents more aware of the necessity of staying in school. This year's theme is "School=Success."
The messages contained on the posters were clear.
"Let's Be Cool, Stay in School," read one. "Success Is Your Education," read another. "If You Drop Out, You Lose Out. We Stay In School," read a third.
The contest is divided into two categories: schools located within Youngstown and schools located in the rest of the county. Each category has two divisions with kindergarten through second grade competing in one, and third- and fourth-graders competing in the second.
Choosing winners
The contest began more than two months ago, and the public visiting the center got the opportunity to help pick the winners by voting for their favorite posters.
The winners will be announced at an Awards Breakfast at 9 a.m. Wednesday at the Maronite Center. Winners, their families, teachers and school representatives have been invited to attend.
Prizes will be awarded for first, second and third place as well as honorable mention in each division. The Rev. Terrence Hazel of St. Michael's Parish will be the guest speaker.
"It's a great community event," said Judge Theresa Dellick.
The effort has a lot of sponsors, and no county funds are spent on the contest, she said.
"We had such a great turnout from both the city and county schools that picking the winning posters was an extremely difficult job," said Anthony D'Apolito, juvenile court administrator. "It really brightens up the center."
Sponsors for the contest included the DeBartolo Corp., Parker-Hannifin Corp., Farmers National Bank, National City Bank and DiRusso's Sausage Inc.
gwin@vindy.com