Thirteen students from across Pennsylvania honored for their artwork
HARRISBURG — Attorney General David Sunday congratulates the 13 student winners of the Office of Attorney General’s 29th Annual Drug-Free Calendar Contest, and recently joined Pennsylvania’s Treasurer Stacy Garrity in honoring the students at a ceremony in Harrisburg.
In October, which is National Substance Abuse Prevention Month, fifth-grade students across the Commonwealth were encouraged to create an original piece of artwork that illustrates a drug-free message. Winning works of art from 13 students were selected to appear in the 2026 calendar, which is circulated across the state in efforts to educate the public about the dangers of drug use.
(PHOTO GALLERY at the bottom.)
The winners were chosen from over 1,300 submissions from 148 schools in 44 counties, based on the artists’ creativity, ability to illustrate, and inclusion of a drug-free message.
“This isn’t just about celebrating the incredible art of our students; this campaign is also about preventing drug use,” Attorney General Sunday said. “Addressing the opioid and mental health epidemics currently gripping Pennsylvania are top priorities as Attorney General. Prevention is the key to victory, and it takes all of us to be voices for prevention in our friend groups, schools, and communities. Learning about the dangers of substance abuse and how students can protect themselves from the dangers of drugs, alcohol, and tobacco is critical to success.”
Each winning student will receive a $529 contribution to their Pennsylvania 529 College Savings Program, which is supervised by the Pennsylvania Treasury Department. Treasurer Stacy Garrity attended the ceremony.
“The winners of this contest are a great example of how we can all use our own special talents to encourage others to make positive decisions,” Treasurer Garrity said. “I’m delighted that each winner will receive a $529 deposit in their PA 529 College and Career Savings Program account to help them save for their future education.”
Each month in the calendar is represented by a piece of artwork from a Pennsylvania student. Additionally, a student’s illustration is used for the cover of the calendar.
The following students were named 2026 Drug-Free Calendar Contest winners:
- Cover: Nico Nicklin, Greenville Elementary School, Mercer County
- January: Lilian Gearhart, Cecil Intermediate School, Washington County
- February: Benny Root, Union Canal Elementary School, Lebanon County
- March: Benjamin Goodbred, S.S. Palmer Elementary School, Carbon County
- April: Stella Siegrist, Our Lady of the Angels Catholic School, Lancaster County
- May: Nora Bothell, United Elementary School, Indiana County
- June: Brynn Watlock, St Nicholas – St Mary School, Luzerne County
- July: David Fallen, Christ the King School, Philadelphia County
- August: Eva Lily Madeira, Pleasant Valley Intermediate School, Monroe County
- September: Michael Kihonge, Wilson Area Intermediate School, Northampton County
- October: Makenna Bachman, South Fayette Intermediate School, Allegheny County
- November: Marcus Zawarski, Our Lady of Perpetual Help School, Northampton County
- December: Kaitlyn Lytle, Forest Hills Elementary School, Cambria County
Click here to view the calendar.
The drug-free calendar contest is funded through the Community Drug Abuse Prevention Fund. Fines and penalties collected from certain offenses, such as driving under the influence, contribute to the fund.
Agents and specialists from the Office of Attorney General visit schools throughout the year to meet with children to educate them about the importance of staying drug free. The programs feature customized lessons, interactive presentations and messages speaking directly to the audience.
Visit www.attorneygeneral.gov or call the Office of Attorney General’s Office at 1-833-OAG-4YOU to learn more about these programs.
# # #
