Silver Spring, Md. (Thursday, May 9, 2019) – The United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the DEA Educational Foundation, and Discovery Education, the leading provider of standards-aligned digital curriculum resources, engaging content, and professional learning for K-12 classrooms, today named four first place 2019 Operation Prevention Video Challenge winners. Dalton Sherrill, Jackson Hamm, Yanely Luna, and Brian Wang of Coffee County Central High School (CCCHS) in Manchester, Tenn., will receive $10,000 for their winning public service announcement (PSA) entitled What Could’ve Been, which highlights the life-altering effects of opioid misuse. The students also received the most votes during the People’s Choice award voting period, earning them a trip for an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of DEA training at the DEA’s Training Academy in Quantico, Va.

The challenge invited teens across the nation to submit 30-60 second video public service announcements that capture their unique voice in order to communicate the opioid epidemic as a national crisis. In What Could’ve Been, a teenager’s opioid addiction shortens his life, halting the joys of growing into his adulthood. The character captures the essence of the challenge and encourages teens to research the opioid epidemic to identify its widespread impact on the country.

“Congratulations to the winners from Coffee County Central High School on creating a gripping video message that illustrates the gravity of opioid addiction and how it can devastate lives,” said Sean Fearns, chief of community outreach, DEA. “The role peer-to-peer influence has in preventing opioid misuse before it starts cannot be overstated. We are truly encouraged by the leadership we’ve seen exhibited by our nation’s youth.”

The third annual video challenge is a part of Operation Prevention, a joint nationwide education initiative that aims to educate students about the science behind addiction, and its impact on the brain and body. Available at no-cost, the program’s resources help promote lifesaving discussions at home and in the classroom. The winning video was chosen by a panel of educators and judges from Discovery Education, the DEA, and the DEA Educational Foundation.

Other Operation Prevention Video Challenge winners include:
Second Place: Aria Kydd of Massachusetts Academy of Math and Science
Worcester Polytechnic Institute| Worcester, Mass.
Awarded: $5,000 for her video Think Again

Third Place: Jake Sandvik of Cody High School
Park County School District | Cody, Wyo.
Awarded: $1,000 for his video Wanna

People’s Choice Award: Dalton Sherrill, Jackson Hamm, Yanely Luna, and Brian Wang
Coffee Country Central High School | Coffee County School District | Manchester, Tenn.
Awarded: A trip to Quantico, Va., for an exclusive tour of DEA training for their video What Could’ve Been

“Not only did these students make an impactful and creative PSA, they took time to include community members in it. That choice likely contributed to them winning the ‘People’s Choice Award’; everyone loved seeing the video spread throughout the community,” said Megan Eaves, assistant principal at Coffee Country Central High School. “I think I can speak for all of the administrators and teachers at CCCHS when I say that we are very proud of the work these students put into their video, and we are excited about their win.”

Coffee Country Central High School Career and Technical Education Director Richard Skipper continued, “I say this a lot, every one of our kids will become something great, we just don’t know what! Audio visual production classes at CCCHS provide wonderful opportunities for students to thrive and our newest ‘Operation Prevention Video Challenge’ winners are a powerful example of what is possible.”

First, second, and third place prizes are provided courtesy of the DEA Educational Foundation and the People’s Choice Award prize is made possible by support from the DEA. Winning videos can be viewed at operationprevention.com, and will be featured across DE and DEA digital, including social media platforms. Program resources are accessible for free online and also through Discovery Education Streaming Plus.

“Discovery Education is proud to support the DEA in a critical effort to combat the epidemic of prescription opioid misuse, which is impacting communities nationwide,” said Lori McFarling, senior vice president and chief marketing officer, Discovery Education. “We’re inspired by the number of young people across the country who are taking action to save lives by participating in the ‘Operation Prevention Video Challenge’. Congratulations to this year’s winners, finalists and participations.”

For more information about Discovery Education’s digital curriculum content and professional development services, visit discoveryeducation.com. Stay connected through social media on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest @DiscoveryEd.

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 About the Drug Enforcement Administration:
The mission of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is to enforce the controlled substances laws and regulations of the United States and bring to the criminal and civil justice system of the United States, or any other competent jurisdiction, those organizations and principal members of organizations, involved in the growing, manufacture or distribution of controlled substances appearing in or destined for illicit traffic in the United States; and to recommend and support non-enforcement programs aimed at reducing the availability of illicit controlled substances on the domestic and international markets. The DEA encourages parents, along with their children, to educate themselves about the dangers of legal and illegal drugs by visiting DEA’s interactive websites at justthinktwice.gov, getsmartaboutdrugs.gov and dea.gov.

About the DEA Educational Foundation:
Established in 2001, the DEA Educational Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to preventing drug abuse. The foundation supports the DEA through advocacy, outreach, and educational programs. Learn more at deaeducationalfoundation.org.

About Discovery Education:
Discovery Education is the global leader in standards-aligned digital curriculum resources, engaging content, and professional learning for K-12 classrooms. Through its award-winning digital textbooks, multimedia resources and the largest professional learning network of its kind, Discovery Education is transforming teaching and learning and improving academic achievement around the globe. Discovery Education’s services are available in approximately half of U.S. classrooms and primary schools in the U.K. and reach over 5 million educators and 51 million students in more than 90 countries. Inspired by the global media company Discovery, Inc., Discovery Education partners with districts, states, and like-minded organizations to empower teachers with customized solutions that support the success of all learners. Explore the future of education at discoveryeducation.com.

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