15th Annual Project Sentry Logo Contest Winners

United States Attorney Beth Drake announces the winners of the United States Attorney’s Office 15th Annual Project Sentry Logo or Meme Contest. The winners are from the following schools: K-2nd grade division winner is Samantha Bitts, Grade 2 from Ocean Drive Elementary School in North Myrtle Beach. 3rd-5th grade division winner is Ayden Downey, Grade 3 from Ocean Drive Elementary School in North Myrtle Beach. 6th-8th grade division winner is Alexia Hernandez, Grade 6 from Fairfield Magnet School for Math and Science in Winnsboro. 9th-12th grade division is Nia Lott, Grade 11 from Strom Thurmond High School in Johnston. The overall winner is Alexia Hernandez, Grade 6 from Fairfield Magnet School for Math and Science in Winnsboro. The winners were chosen from 104 entries from eight schools across South Carolina. Each division winner will receive a $50 award, with the overall winner receiving an additional $50 award. The winners will receive their awards during upcoming school award ceremonies. All of the students who participated will receive a Certificate of Appreciation for logo or meme submissions. The statewide contest fosters an opportunity for South Carolina students to tell the entire state how they prevent gun violence in their school and focuses on deterrence of juvenile gun violence and ensuring secure school environments. The contest was open to students in all South Carolina schools. The winning entries were selected by “The Insiders,” a select group of students from the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice, who travel throughout the state, encouraging troubled children and promoting community awareness of the prevalence and consequences of juvenile crime. The U.S. Attorney’s Office coordinated with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers’ Association Foundation (SCLEOA) to provide the cash awards to the winners. Project Sentry, which is part of the district’s Project Safe Neighborhoods and Project Cease Fire program, is a vital step in strengthening our ability to prevent gun crimes among our young people and to ensure a safe learning atmosphere for our children. For more information on the Project Sentry program and to view this year’s winning submissions as well as winning logos over the years, visit www.justice.gov/usao/sc/programs/logowinners.html. U.S. Attorney Beth Drake commended the students and their engagement on helping foster this very important dialogue. “Thanks to all of the students who participated and congratulations to our winners! The students demonstrated some real wisdom we can all learn from.”