NEW JERSEY (KYW Newsradio) — A contest in New Jersey is back for another year, challenging high school students to write an original song about drug prevention.
The contest, “Your Song, Your Voice,” is open through the end of March 2024. It’s run by the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey and executive director Angelo Valente says it’s open to individuals or groups.
First place receives a $5,000 music contract; second place, a $3,000 music contract; and third place, a $2,000 contract, he said.
Last year’s winner was Jordan Wilson, who learned about the contest via a text from his mom.
“Me being 17 at the time, I had a lot of friends who were going through — struggling with the things that aligned with this contest, so I thought it would be a great idea,” Wilson said.
Wilson almost immediately went to work in his studio and finished writing the song “Intervention Intentions” that night.
He entered last year’s contest and won with the underlying message of “how good life can be living drug-free.”
Wilson says it’s important to provide an alternative type of music in an industry often dominated by overindulgence.
“People can dance to it and it feels exactly the opposite of what you hear on the radio. And I think that’s important to let people know that you can still enjoy yourself while listening to something that has a great message.”
For more information, check out their website.