WOODSTOCK IL – Congratulations to Gabrielle Miller, 2017 winner of the anti-tobacco media campaign sponsored by McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH)!  "Don’t let your future go up in smoke” was this year’s contest theme.  The campaign, open to county high schools and McHenry County College students, called for illustrating this theme by creating a bill board style poster.

Gabrielle’s winning design, chosen from several dozen worthy entries, was selected based on overall appeal and originality of the tobacco message.  Her poster, bearing the motto “Don’t let your future burn away” shows nine burning cigarettes, each listing something smokers give up - from taste buds to health. A 2013 graduate from Huntley High School, Gabrielle attends McHenry County College where she is a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and studies graphic design. 

“It’s refreshing that so many gifted young people grasp the dangers of tobacco and use their artistic talents to enter this contest.  The selection committee had the daunting task of choosing one winner from numerous fantastic submissions!” said Meaghan Haak, Community Health Coordinator for MCDH.

Since 2004 the McHenry County Department of Health has hosted a media design contest with a focus on tobacco use prevention.  The contest highlights local talent while educating the community about the ill health effects of smoking and secondhand smoke.  The Health Department has acknowledged Gabrielle’s selection on their Route 14 electronic sign in Crystal Lake.  View Gabrielle’s winning design on the MCDH website at www.mcdh.info., or “like” MCDH on Facebook or Twitter to see Gabrielle’s poster.