Othello student wins state essay contest

OTHELLO — An Othello student won a statewide contest for her essay about staying free from alcohol and drugs.

McFarland Junior High School eighth grade student Jennifer Murillo was grand prize winner of the Washington State Law Enforcement Association's 13th annual eighth grade student essay contest. She receives $500 for her winning essay.

The topic of the contest is, "Why I will say no to alcohol and drugs."

"I have heart problems, so if I take drugs and/or alcohol they will increase," she writes. "I mean come on, I'm only 13. I don't want red eyes or yellow teeth all the time."

Academics are another reason Murillo chooses to stay drug and alcohol free. Her goal is to earn a 4.0 grade point average this year.

"Drugs and alcohol don't make me a better person, it would make me lazy," she said. "There are many kids who look up to me and I don't want to disappoint them."

Murillo's family motivates her to stay away from alcohol and drugs.

"I'll hurt them, myself, but mostly my little sister. Her name is Christina … She tries her hardest to be just like me," she said.

A promise to her father is the final reason she stays away from drugs and alcohol. He passed away Oct. 30, 2005.

"A couple days before the accident he gave me the talk," Murillo said. "I will remember it always. 'You must be proud of yourself like I am. You have good grades and to top it off, you don't use drugs or alcohol. I don't want you to use those things, all right. Promise me that.'"

Her reply was, "Don't worry, I won't."

Murillo said her father's death was sudden.

"Tomorrow could be my day, and I don't want that day to come too soon," she said. "I want to live my life all the way through."