WELCOME TO THE ONLINE HOME OF THE

SHELBY COUNTY

PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE

Advocates for the People of Shelby County

R. Kent Apsley, Prosecuting Attorney

407 South Harrison Street | Shelbyville, Indiana 46176

As many times as we tell our children "Don't do drugs", it is never as effective as hearing it from another kid. That is the whole idea behind our annual calendar project.  As the children work on their posters in the classroom, they share their own personal message with each other.  This "Just say no" message is then repeated 365 days a year in our calendar.

All interested Shelby County 5^th, 6^th, 7^th, and 8^th grade students are encouraged to participate in this project.  Winners of the annual contest have their artwork featured in our most recent calendar.  U.S. Savings Bonds are also awarded to the Grand Prize winner as well as 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes winners from each class.  Contest guidelines and cutoff dates are sent to the principals of all areas schools at the beginning of the school year.  An awards ceremony is held annually during Red Ribbon Week in October.

A MESSAGE FROM THE PROSECUTOR

Ten years ago, one of my Deputy Prosecutors and I were discussing what we might do to try to get the community involved in our battle against drugs in Shelby County. We were just bringing our new team to the Prosecutor’s Office and were looking for ways to forge partnerships with those outside of the criminal justice system. We knew we could not win the war alone.

We came across the idea of an art contest for elementary and junior high students. It sounded like a great way to spread our message in the schools. By then taking the best of the entries and publishing them in a calendar we could share the message with the entire community.

I had no idea that we would do the project beyond that first year. I certainly never anticipated that it would be as wildly successful as it has been. We find ourselves celebrating the 10th anniversary of our Drug Free Calendar Program. This year alone nearly 700 children participated from all over the county. Over the past ten years we have touched literally thousands of young lives.

Most importantly, I have had the pleasure of seeing many of these same young kids grow and mature. They are leaders in their schools and on the athletic fields. Many have gone on to college or the workplace and success there. They are living witness to our belief that the best way to battle substance abuse is to prevent it in the first place.

Congratulations to the winners of this year’s calendar contest. Congratulations to the parents of those children who are doing such a great job raising their kids. And, most of all, congratulations to the many kids who have participated in this program over the past ten years. Your community is proud of you.

- R. Kent Apsley

You may click on each photograph below to see the artwork. (Opens in a new window)

To see information about the Drug-Free Calendar Contest, Click Here.

CLICK ON THE YEAR TO SEE THE DRUG-FREE CONTEST WINNERS

2010 • 2009 • 2008 • 2007 • 2006  • 2005

To see a copy of the most recent Contest Entry Guidelines, Click Here.