AUBURN - Four years ago, Anthony Butera and his family were hit head-on by a drunk driver who fled the scene.
The 12-year-old can still remember his mother's screams, the smoke rising off the engine, the anti-freeze pouring out onto the road, and the fear he felt.
In an attempt to help raise awareness about drunk driving, Butera designed a poster to share his memories. That poster has been picked up by the New York State Alcohol and Substance Abuse Committee and will now be viewed by students and teachers around the state.
Butera's poster will represent Cayuga County in a state calendar being distributed to all of the school districts in the state. One art project promoting drug and alcohol awareness was chosen from each county.
”What we are trying to do is get kids involved in these contests early to prevent underage drinking,“ said Cindy Mazzeo, chair of the Cayuga County Alcohol and Substance Abuse subcommittee.
Butera, a West Middle School student, entered his poster in a Cayuga County competition in hopes of spreading the word about drinking and driving. When Butera entered his work in a local contest, he never thought it would gain such recognition.
”My dad heard about this, so I just thought I'd give it a try,“ Butera said. ”I was surprised people thought it was so good.“
The poster shows the Butera family's brown minivan being hit by a red truck. Below the drawing are Butera's thoughts from that night. It ends with a message about not drinking and driving.
Butera was recognized at Tuesday night's Auburn school board meeting for his hard work.
”I'm a little nervous being here, but it feels good,“ he said.
In an attempt to help raise awareness about drunk driving, Butera designed a poster to share his memories. That poster has been picked up by the New York State Alcohol and Substance Abuse Committee and will now be viewed by students and teachers around the state.
Butera's poster will represent Cayuga County in a state calendar being distributed to all of the school districts in the state. One art project promoting drug and alcohol awareness was chosen from each county.
”What we are trying to do is get kids involved in these contests early to prevent underage drinking,“ said Cindy Mazzeo, chair of the Cayuga County Alcohol and Substance Abuse subcommittee.
Butera, a West Middle School student, entered his poster in a Cayuga County competition in hopes of spreading the word about drinking and driving. When Butera entered his work in a local contest, he never thought it would gain such recognition.
”My dad heard about this, so I just thought I'd give it a try,“ Butera said. ”I was surprised people thought it was so good.“
The poster shows the Butera family's brown minivan being hit by a red truck. Below the drawing are Butera's thoughts from that night. It ends with a message about not drinking and driving.
Butera was recognized at Tuesday night's Auburn school board meeting for his hard work.
”I'm a little nervous being here, but it feels good,“ he said.
