The winners of the first ever Monroe County Stop-DWI Radio Contest were announced Monday.

The contest asked local high school students in the greater Rochester area to create their own 30 second public service announcements on the dangers of drinking and driving. This year’s first, second, and third place winners were all from Gates-Chili high school.

Gates Police Chief James VanBrederode talked about why he thinks these PSAs are more effective with kids.

“A lot of the tragedies involve younger people and so I think the message coming from the younger population is important. You hear the voices, you can tell they are school aged kids,” said VanBrederode. “I think it’s impressionable and meaningful when it’s coming from kids.”

The judging committee received a total of twenty entries and judged them based originality, messaging, and public safety appeal.

First, second, and third place winners were awarded cash prizes as well as the opportunity for their entries to be aired during the Stop-DWI Labor Day Crackdown which will take place August 17 to September 3 of this year.