PAINT THE STATE

Local Teens Display Artwork In Fight Against Meth

PAYETTE -- The Idaho Meth Project has found a way to enrich Idaho's
youth and to involve them more in the campaigning for a safe and drug
free state.

IMP's "Paint the State" competition is a way for teens 13 to 18 years
old to get involved in their communities and compete for $3,000 in
cash prizes in each of Idaho's 44 counties. Prizes all over the state
total more than $135,000. Paint the State is a way to implement a
positive focus for the groundswell of outrage against methamphetamine
in Idaho.

Local teens in Payette County participated, starting in May. Megan
Ronk, executive director of IMP, gave a brief overview of the contest
saying it is a conscious way for teens to get involved in the war
against meth.

"This is a first-of-its-kind public art competition and large-scale
community action program aimed at broadly communicating the risks of Meth
use through public works of art," Ronk said. "The rules of the contest are
simple. Teens ages 13-18 will be asked to use the 'Meth: Not Even Once'
logo, tagline, or other anti-Meth theme, a little inspiration, and a lot of
imagination to create a work of art -- any style, any medium -- that's
clearly visible to the general public."

Ronk said the idea came from the same place the Idaho Meth Project
came from: the Montana Meth Project.

"The project could be a mural on the side of a building, a sign along
a busy road, a 3-D scene in a storefront window, a painted bus -- the
possibilities are endless. Cash prizes will be awarded in each
county," Ronk said. "It is our hope this gives teens incentive to
participate in Paint the State."

The prizes in each Idaho county are $1,500 for first place, $1,000 for
second place and $500 for third place. The first place winner in each
county will compete for a statewide prize of $5,000, totaling a
possibility of $6,500.

One teen, Nikki Hurrle, 16, Fruitland, said she had fun doing the
project and it wasn't what she expected it to be.

"I participated to show children and my peers that meth isn't good for
you," Hurrle said. "I wanted to also be a good role model for kids
younger than me."

Her team partner Shiloh Page, 18, Payette, said she hopes she is
eligible to do it again next year, as she had fun being creative and
painting for a good cause.

"I did it because I think meth is sick," Page said. "Look at all the
pictures of people that do meth. It's gross."

Other participants in Payette County were Scott Steiner, Kendra
Steiner, Kelcie Steiner, Glenndee Allison, Breanna Abraham, Kacie
Gastanaga, Bryndee Ryan and Jessica Bates.

Scott Steiner said it was harder than he thought it was going to be.
He said he had a lot of fun and it was nice to be involved in the community.

"I know for sure, I am doing this next year and I have a year to think
of my idea now," Steiner said. "It was fun getting together with the
other groups and hearing and seeing the different ideas."

Team leaders were Lisa Allison, Courtney Heyne, Brandi Stromberg and
Savana Steiner. The team leaders were more advisers for the teams to
encourage them and help them with ideas. The Payette County Sheriff's
Office, Payette City Police and Fruitland City Police donated the
paint, painting supplies and tarps and The Biz Zone in Fruitland
donated a banner for the competition.

"It's nice to have the community support and involvement that I have
had with this program," Stromberg, adviser of the program in Payette
County, said. "I have dealt with the community a lot on the anti-meth
programs that run in our area. It's really nice to see people step up
and care. The teens did awesome. I can't wait for next year."

The competition will run this week. Winners will be chosen Aug. 6. The
competition will be judged by local and statewide judges, selected by
Ronk. Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter and his wife will display the
winners and award them their cash prizes during an Aug. 6 ceremony.

The contest is already scheduled to run again next
year.

"Next year, I will have more time to plan and gather teens," Stromberg
said. "This year, I didn't start until late May. Next year, I will
attend schools in April getting teens rounded up."