submitted by MATFORCE
MATFORCE, a primary prevention organization that focuses on stopping youth substance use before it starts, is excited to announce the winners of the annual #StayHealthy essay contest.
MATFORCE has implemented the essay contest since 2019 to start youth thinking about the harms and consequences of substance use and sharing those thoughts with their peers and the community. Students throughout Yavapai County participated.
First through third-place winners won cash prizes ranging from $500 to $100 respectively. Honorable mentions received a cash prize of $50 each. A new category for 2024, called the Executive Choice Award, was created to acknowledge the participation of additional essays. Winners in this category received $10 Amazon gift cards.
For more information about the youth essay contest or MATFORCE, visit
www.matforce.org or call 928.708.0100.
Executive Choice Awards
Emmary Bast
Lexi Cabrera
Enrique Castillo-Barrias
Vittoria Fiorillo
Taven Herrera
Ky’noe Honwytewa
Zayden James
Danielle Khin
Taylor Miller
Anna Oleden
Preslie
Angel Santos Estanislao
Leslie Torayno
Ava Worthen
Kayleigh Wright
Honorable Mentions
• Paige Culver, 14, Mingus Union High School
• Nariyah Thompson, 16, Mingus Union High School
• Amber Anaya Martinez, 16, Mingus Union High School
Winners
• First place: Toby Chang, 17, BASIS Prescott
• Second place (tied): Tashyla Wagner, 16, Mingus Union High School
• Second place (tied): Aubrey Tomlinson, 14, Prescott High School
• Third place (tied): Destiny Rose Johnson, 17, Camp Verde High School
• Third place (tied): Aiden Mezulis, 15, Camp Verde High School
