Madison, Skowhegan students win Dear Future Me Video Contest

SKOWHEGAN — Davin Pinkham, of Madison Elementary School, recently won the grand prize in the 2nd annual Dear Future Me Video Contest. Runners-up included Hailey Irvine, also of Madison Elementary School, and Lucia LaCroix, a homeschooled student from Skowhegan.
The contest was part of a joint substance use prevention effort between Somerset Public Health in Skowhegan and Healthy SV in Pittsfield. Students were asked to create a short video to their future selves, talking about how they’re living their best life without drugs/alcohol and how the choices they’re making will ensure a successful future. The contest was open to students in Somerset County.

Judges praised Pinkham for the creativity, originality, and humor of his video, in which he imagined two future selves–one who had used drugs and one who hadn’t.
“I really liked this video. He did a great Jekyll and Hyde,” said one judge.
“Davin and Hailey were recognized in front of their entire school,” said Sean Landry, community health educator for Somerset Public Health. “We’re excited to celebrate these students who are making positive choices. They’re living their best lives without substances and planning to continue on that path.”
Prizes for this year’s contest included New Balance backpacks, a $50 gift card from Walmart, a $20 gift card from 3D Games, passes to Spotlight Cinema at the Strand and a gift certificate for floral arrangements from the Bankery and Skowhegan Fleuriste.
Part of the promotion for the contest included an interview with last year’s contest winner, Evelyn LaCroix, to talk about ways she lives her life without substances. Evelyn is a local actress who recently appeared in Penobscot Theatre Company’s production of “Fun Home.”
To learn more about the Dear Future Me Video Contest, visi somersetpublichealtth.org.

TOP PHOTO: Davin Pinkham, of Madison, the grand prize winner in the 2019 Dear Future Me Video Contest, (Margaux Files photo)