Drug-Free All Stars Complete Project Sticker Shock

The Drug-Free All Stars of Angelina County, funded by a grant from TxDOT, recently completed their annual event, Project Sticker Shock. The Project Sticker Shock campaign is aimed at preventing underage drinking by reminding adults not to provide alcohol for minors. The 59 Drug-Free All Stars stickered 28 grocery and convenience stores throughout Angelina County to help prevent underage alcohol use. The Coalition, Inc. and the Drug-Free All Stars would like to thank Brookshire Brothers, La Michoacana Meat Market, Hernandez Grocery, Big’s convenience stores, Walgreens on Frank Ave., and Coleman’s convenience store for participating in this year’s Project Sticker Shock.

For the first time, student members of Polk and Cherokee county Drug-Free Council groups also participated in Project Sticker Shock in their respective counties to continue raising awareness throughout Deep East Texas. The Coalition hopes Project Sticker Shock makes the community aware of the dangers of providing alcohol to minors; not only is it against the law, but it can have deadly consequences.  St. Cyprian’s Episcopal School Drug-Free All Star, Alexander Tiu, commented, “We are promoting a legacy of responsibility in youth. This will last a lifetime, create successful community members, and promote living a full and happy life.” Research shows that teens who start drinking before age 15 are four times more likely to develop substance dependence later in life than those who wait to drink until age 21 or older.  

Since 1988, The Coalition has focused on eliminating the use of harmful substances by affecting public policy, laws, attitudes and behaviors, all in an effort to foster healthy life-long choices for the local community. The Drug-Free All Stars are a group of high school seniors that serve as role models for the community by living an alcohol, tobacco, and drug-free life. For more information about the Drug-Free All Star program, contact Abby Baker at The Coalition at 936-634-9308.

Pictured are attendees at the Project Sticker Shock press conference On March 8. First row, from left to right are April Soderquist, Coalition board member; Suzy Childers, Coalition board member; Kim Garcia, Coalition board member; Melissa McKnight, Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT); Jessica Jones, TxDOT; Jacee Berry, TxDOT; Seth Franks, TxDOT; and Don Maddox, TxDOT. Second row, from left to right are Captain Alton Lenderman, Angelina County Sheriff Office; Bambi Shofner, St. Cyprian’s Episcopal School; Natalie Courtney, Lufkin HS All Star; Alayna Durham, Huntington HS All Star; Zahra Martinez, Lufkin HS All Star; Jennifer Payne, Angelina County Sheriff Office; Giselle Jaime, Central HS All Star; Elizabeth Jacobo, Central HS All Star; Jolie Garcia, Central HS All Star; Ava Alaniz-Guerrero, PCA All Star; and Melissa Crager, Brookshire Brothers. Back row from left to right are Kendyl Metcalf, Huntington HS All Star; Chloe Napier, Huntington HS All Star; Alexander Tiu, St. Cyprian’s All Star; Cara Phillips, St. Cyprian’s All Star; De’Andrew Dodd, PCA All Star; Brylee Barbee, PCA All Star; Annabelle Liddle, Central HS All Star; Kiara Rodgers, PCA All Star; Cece Rodgers, PCA All Star; and Kaylie Blaylock, PCA All Star.

Natalie Courtney, Lufkin HS Drug-Free All Star, and Kendyl Metcalf, Huntington HS Drug-Free All Star, stickering package of alcohol at the new Huntington Brookshire Brothers location.  

Huntington Drug-Free All Star Avery Williams places a sticker on a package at the Zavalla Brookshire Brothers.

Lufkin HS Drug-Free All Stars Alyssa Luna, Verania Paulin, Abby Kerr, Ciara Harris, Trent Gorman, and Cailyn Crow after stickering at Brookshire Brothers.

Jacob Jenning and Kristina Guardado, Central HS Drug-Free All Stars, stickering at a local Big’s location.