Five Fremd students win anti-drug essay contest

Five Fremd High School students have been named winners of a high school essay contest sponsored by the Cebrin Goodman Foundation in Skokie, on the subject, "Why I choose to be drug- and alcohol-free, and how I will make a difference in my school."

The winning students from Fremd High School are Lauren Albert, Margo Banakis, Tess Dinterman, Courtney Norenberg, and Dan Torp.

These students, along with winners from nine other area high schools, were recognized at an awards banquet and leadership training session on Dec. 9, at the Robert Crown Center in Hinsdale.

The Cebrin Goodman Foundation is a philanthropic organization supporting drug use prevention. After Larry Goodman, the Foundation's founder, lost his granddaughter, Cebrin, to drugs, he and his family became committed to preventing others from suffering a similar tragedy.

Participating schools in the essay contest and awards/training event are eligible to apply for grants through the Foundation that support school drug abuse prevention efforts.

According to Tony Tosh, Fremd High School student assistance program coordinator, students at Fremd approach this topic seriously.

"Our yearly surveys consistently show us that Fremd High School students make good decisions on a regular basis," he said, "and this essay contest is one way to highlight just a few of those students who are alcohol- and drug-free."