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In addition to having their artwork displayed on billboards,the five top winners' <br /> artwork will be featured at the ceremony and they will receive a plaque and certificate. <br /> All other participants will receive an award ribbon, a certificate, and their artwork will be <br /> displayed at the awards ceremony as well. "I congratulate all youth who participated in <br /> the billboard art contest and commend the sponsors and teachers for supporting this effort <br /> to encourage our youth to express themselves through art. I look forward to seeing the <br /> art on local billboards soon." commented Mayor Luecke. <br /> The Weed& Seed program is a federally sponsored community-based strategy <br /> whose purpose is to "weed out"negative and"seed in"positive influences in our <br /> neighborhoods. Mark Dollinger, Weed & Seed Coordinator stated "that in the past three <br /> years, over 450 students K-12 grade levels have participated in the billboard art contests. <br /> The first contest theme dealt with graffiti, the second one was centered on peer pressure <br /> and the third featured gun violence." "The contest is a great opportunity for the youth to <br /> collaborate in our Weed & Seed strategy. Through youth involvement, our positive <br /> messages reach a broader constituency and we congratulate them on their hard work",he <br /> further stated. The Weed& Seed Alliance has been involved in numerous projects such <br /> as Community Policing,After School Safe Haven programs, Safe Neighborhoods, Anti- <br /> Gang Task Force, Senior Citizens Security, VIP Patrols, Graffiti Removal and <br /> Neighborhood Restoration. <br /> -30- <br />