MIDDLEBORO — The Middleboro Elks Lodge is encouraging students in the greater Middleboro area to participate in the National Drug Awareness Prevention contest. 

There are three categories including a poster contest, an essay contest and a video contest. 

The theme for the 2023-2024 contest is “Be Kind to Your Mind — Live Drug Free.”

The contest is open to all students, students do not have to be affiliated with the Elks in any way.

Students in grades three through five can participate in the poster contest. Posters should be submitted on 81/2 x 11 inch paper. However, posters submitted on paper up to 11x24 inches in size will be accepted. Posters will be judged on neatness, originality and closeness to the theme. 

Students in grades six through eight can participate in the essay contest. Participants must write the essay themselves, although they may receive help from teachers and parents to form ideas. 

Essays must be no longer than 250 words. 

Pre-high school and high school students can enter the video contest. Video submissions must be two to five minutes in length and be submitted via flash drive or a similar format. 

District winners will be forwarded to State Level Competition. All winning entries become the sole property of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and may not be returned.

To submit and see further contest information, visit acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:VA6C2:6a7b734d-6e55-476b-9d0b-dcad74f65e1d or email oconnorcrew4@verizon.net.