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# Elks say ‘yes’ to kids who just say ‘no’
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/elks-say-yes-to-kids-who-just-say-no/
- Published: 2004-12-17T16:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T05:48:44.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: local, Santa Monica, #archive-import

*By Daily Press staff*

The Santa Monica Elks Club awarded several members at the Drug Awareness Awards Dinner for their entries in the “Why I don’t do drugs” essay and video contest.

Six winners were picked out of more than 60 entries for the essay contest, while two pairs of contestants took home video contest honors.

Lisa Meinhart, lodge chairperson, and Grady Sain, co-chairman, presided over the competition.

Essay winners were Joey Armaswalker (fourth grade); Raequel Ledezma (fifth grade); Joey Leyba (sixth grade); Quentin Nicholas (sixth grade); Noelle Robinson (seventh grade); and Amber Alexander (eighth grade).

Video contest paired-winners were Matt Faziu and Tyler Abbott; and Erick Prins and Louis Coles.

First-place entries will subsequently be submitted for a district competition.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/2026/10/121704-05_02.jpg)

of the Santa Monica Elks Club pose alongside the winners at the Drug Awareness Awards Dinner. (Photo: Photos Courtesy Members)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/2026/10/121704-05_03.jpg)

of the Santa Monica Elks Club pose alongside the winners at the Drug Awareness Awards Dinner. (Photo: Photos Courtesy Members)

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on December 17, 2004.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/121704.pdf?ref=smdp.com)