Gorham High School (GHS) graduate, Lydia Drew, was named a winner in the 16th annual Arrive Alive Creative Contest, sponsored by the Law Offices of Joe Bornstein.
To promote safe driving practices, the contest asks students to come up with a creative message about the dangers of drinking and driving and/or distracted driving.
Drew’s essay won first-place for depicting how the decisions drivers make can impact their life as well as their family and friends. She was honored among the Top 20 winners statewide during a zoom ceremony on June 25, which replaced the traditional awards ceremony at the Law Office due to coronavirus.
Six other Gorham graduates finished in the Top 20: Haley Burns, Harlan Ivan, Sam Orlando, Devon Paulin, Will Donnelly, and Lauren Preis.
In addition to celebrating the contest’s winners, the law firm donated $50 per honorable mention winner to a library or food bank in each graduate’s hometown. A total of $5,050 was donated to 20 nonprofit organizations throughout Maine.
The contest is open to graduating high school seniors in Maine who may enter a creative project of their choice. First-place winners receive a new laptop, second and third-place winners receive a new iPad, and every student who enters receives prizes from the law firm.
Since 2005, over 1,000 graduating seniors have entered the contest from 125 Maine high schools. In the past 16 years, the Law Offices of Joe Bornstein has given away over $150,000 in prizes to help educate teenagers on the risks of dangerous driving. The firm’s dedication to the Arrive Alive Creative Contest made them a finalist for the American Association for Justice Trial Lawyers Care Award in 2014.