In the News

Ridgewood students take home national MADD awards
Mykawaratha.com
July 8, 2010

(COBOCONK) It was big accomplishment for a small school to be proud of when two Ridgewood P.S. students won national awards in a MADD Canada poster and essay writing contest recently.

Kylie Rooth, 10, won first place in her 10 and under age category*, earning herself $250 and a mounted copy of her story, which she was awarded at an assembly in front of her whole school June 30.

Eleven-year-old Kaitlin Chupa earned herself a third-place finish in the 11-14 age category.

“When they say that drinking and driving shatters lives, that’s so true,” said Kawartha Lakes MADD president Carol Ryan to the assembled students.

The contest’s theme was “you can’t replace me,” which both girls incorporated into their entries. Teachers and parents kept the students’ wins a secret until the assembly, so both girls said they were very surprised when their names were called.

Kaitlin took a unique perspective in her story writing and wrote in first-person as someone who had been killed by a drunk driver and was looking down on the effect it had on the lives of those around her. She said the cause was enough to motivate her to participate.

“Because so many lives have been taken by drunk driving and so many people aren’t aware of it, so it’s good to raise awareness,” she said, adding that she worked long and hard on her concept with help from her best friend and teacher.

Kylie added that she would definitely encourage other kids to get involved in similar contests to help save lives on the streets.

“For sure to stop other people from drunk driving and get an opportunity to be congratulated by your school,” she said.

Parents Melanie Chupa and Ann Rooth said they couldn’t be happier for their daughters’ accomplishments.

“It was nice to see Kylie getting involved in such an important cause and I was really proud of her,” Ms Rooth said.

The local MADD Canada board judged the local entries, then passed their top six winners on for consideration on the national level.

“We’re just so proud of these girls,” Ms Ryan said.

“When I got the news that they won, I burst out in tears in the office I was so thrilled for them,” added Linda Holland, administrative assistant for the local chapter.

The organization sent out information on the contest to 30 local schools, said Ms Holland, but the group was very disappointed when only one school responded.

“The younger they are, the wore they understand you don’t drink and drive and then it just becomes common sense to them,” Ms Ryan said of the importance of such contests.

“Hopefully next year we will get more participants from local schools.”