05/28/2026
Ward Melville High School health teachers Christina Driscoll, Cynthia Howard, and Kristina Rudiger recently engaged all health students in a meaningful sticker design competition sponsored by the Town of Brookhaven’s Drug Prevention Coalition (DPC).
Coordinated by Kayla Muglia, Ward Melville Student Assistance Social Worker and Drug/Alcohol Counselor, and Michelle Schindler, Prevention Director YMCA Family Services, the initiative challenged students to create impactful slogans reminding adults of the dangers of purchasing alcohol and v**e products for minors. Students were highly invested in the project, with finalists earning the opportunity to participate in a community field trip.
The DPC selected three winning designs to be professionally printed, and Ward Melville students then took their message into the community, placing hundreds of stickers on products at local businesses. Participating locations included 7-Eleven on Old Town Road, Setauket Beer & Beverage, and Luigi’s Pizzeria, where students placed stickers on cases of alcohol, v**e products, pizza boxes, and takeout bags. The goal: to “shock” the community into awareness and spark important conversations about prevention.
Congratulations to this year’s winners:
• Ms. Driscoll’s Class: Ackerman Chen
• Ms. Rudiger’s Class: James Coffey and Connor McFarland
• Ms. Howard’s Class: Eysan Candan, Jaylin Hackney, and Leah Frederick
We extend our sincere appreciation to our local business partners for supporting this effort and helping share an important public health message throughout the community.
This initiative highlights the power of collaboration, with participation from the Three Village School District, the Drug Prevention Coalition, the Suffolk County Police Department, and the Town of Brookhaven. Together, they are providing students with a meaningful opportunity to engage in real-world advocacy while reinforcing the importance of community leadership and prevention.
