Last spring Cortland Area Communities That Care held its fourth annual poster contest.  This year’s theme was No Bullies Allowed.  Every fourth, fifth and sixth grade student in Cortland County was invited to participate.  Students were asked to create a picture that reflects the importance of not being a bully.  As always the youth of Cortland County came shining through.

            There were many wonderful entries;  all were imaginative and thought provoking.  There were students that pledged not to bully others.  Some students showed the many consequences of being a bully.  Other students gave advice on how to deal with bullies.  And still others illustrated the benefits of not being a bully. 

After much deliberation the judges were able to choose the winning twelve.  The winning entries were submitted by students from Barry, Homer, Randall, St.Mary’s and Smith elementary schools.  Congratulations to Halie Atkins, Rhonda Brown, Carlotta Case, Kim Cusson, Sam Grant, Nisarga Paul, Kyle Redman, Max Riley, Austin Smith, Grant Tinker, Danny Turk and Chris Wescott.  A ceremony was held to present these winners with a prize package, which included a t-shirt displaying their winning entry as well as donations from the Ithaca Science Center and Hollywood Video.  Each of these Cortland County students will have their winning entry displayed in the Cortland Area Communities That Care’s 2010 No Bullies Allowed Calendar.

            These Calendars will be available for purchase at the Cortland City Youth Bureau located at 35 Port Watson Street and Catholic Charities located at 33 Central Avenue in Cortland.  All revenues from sales of the calendars will be used to support youth involvement projects within the community.  Please be sure to check out the Cortland Area Communities That Care’s booth at The Great Cortland Pumpkin Fest on October 3^rd and 4^th.