Hoboken Resident Ties for Third in Your Song! Your Voice! Shout Down Drugs Competition
May 10, 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 10, 2024
Contacts: Lisa Batitto, news@drugfreenj.org
Hoboken Resident Ties for Third in
Your Song! Your Voice! Shout Down Drugs Competition
**to arrange interviews or for photos, please contact Lisa Batitto at news@drugfreenj.org**
HOBOKEN, NJ— Mikayla Monclova, a Grade 12 student at Hoboken Charter, tied for third place in the 20th Annual Your Song! Your Voice! Shout Down Drugs competition, hosted by the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey (PDFNJ).
Mikayla describes her song "Misery's Company" as "lyrically driven," intended to represent "the darkness and struggle while being inspiring." The narrative delves into the journey of an individual who initially waits to be rescued, only to discover the power to conquer personal demons themselves.
"Obviously, it will take time and work, but I believe people are stronger than they give themselves credit for," Mikayla said. "This is a message that we all need to hear, no matter what our situation is."
Inspired by Fleetwood Mac and Stevie Nicks, Mikayla wants her music to resonate with the power of lyrics and melody. "I just love the lyrics of each song, and they brought such a different vibe to the music industry that I appreciate," Mikayla said.
The competition was supported by the New Jersey Broadcasters Association (NJBA) and 95.9 WRAT. The finalists' songs, including Mikayla's "Misery's Company," were featured during a virtual concert broadcast on 95.9 WRAT, with Creative Services Director Jimmy Steal hosting the event. Winners were announced live after the concert, celebrated by an esteemed panel of judges.
"I cannot show my gratitude enough, and I am so happy to share a message like this with the world," Mikayla said, "Thank you to everyone who supported me throughout this process!"
As a competition winner, Mikayla will share her message and music at various events across New Jersey, hoping to inspire others with her story of resilience and self-discovery.'
"Mikayla's achievement is a testament to the power of music to foster resilience and hope," added Angelo Valente, Executive Director of PDFNJ.
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Best known for its statewide substance use prevention advertising campaign, the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey is a private not-for-profit coalition of professionals from the communications, corporate and government communities whose collective mission is to reduce demand for illicit drugs in New Jersey through media communication. To date, more than $200 million in broadcast time and print space has been donated to the Partnership’s New Jersey campaign, making it the largest public service advertising campaign in New Jersey’s history. Since its inception, the Partnership has garnered 226 advertising and public relations awards from national, regional and statewide media organizations.
