For a small group of LCHS broadcast journalism students, the January 20 snow day brought more than snow and ice.

Seven LCHS Seniors won second place in the West Virginia Alcohol Beverage Commission Administration’s (WVABCA) “NO School Spirits” Campaign for the 2021-22 school year.

The journalists will net a $2,500 prize which will be used, according to students, to continue to promote the WVABCA’s platform against underage drinking.

“Engaging our youth in a program to prevent underage drinking can be an effective way to save lives,” Commissioner Mr. Fred Wooten said in a Jan. 19 press release.

Students captured the prize with more than 335 students and 30 schools participating in the PSA Competition which is designed to prevent and discourage underage drinking.

Senior Hannah McHenry produced the 54-second PSA which encourages students to “pass” on underage drinking and to be responsible if put in a situation where drinking is involved.

“It was an important topic to cover,” McHenry said. “It took us several weeks to complete the video because we had to re-shoot different scenes.”

She said the team beat the deadline by a day, submitting it electronically January 6.

Other students working on the video include Seniors Eli Sprouse, Ethan Smith, Becca Gum, Briana Franklin, Kristen Determan and Jonah Clem.

Students said while they recognized the importance and serious nature of the content, they were able to have fun producing the video.

“It was a lot of fun. I enjoyed working with my classmates. They are a great bunch of people,” Eli Sprouse said in a January 21 interview.

The video encourages students to be responsible, look after each other, protect any kind of drink and to never drink and drive or ride with an intoxicated driver.

This is the second time LCHS has captured the runner-up award in the annual PSA competition. Five years ago, LCN students entered “Do the Right Thing,” a mini-documentary focusing on LCHS Science Teacher Mrs. Pam Heaster’s nephew, Kurt Myers, who died from alcohol. Following the second place finish, the WVABCA developed a high school curriculum–The Myers Manual– that was distributed to schools.

Clay County High School captured the $5000 grand prize, with Shady Spring High School finishing in third. Rounding out the winners were Tolsia High School and Tyler Consolidated in fourth and fifth place respectively.

Students will be presented the award at a later date.