North Dakota youth displayed their creativity and health and nutrition knowledge this spring at the sixth annual North Dakota "Eat Smart. Play Hard." poster contest.
The NDSU Extension Service, North Dakota Dietetic Association and NDSU Center for 4-H Youth Development co-sponsored the poster contest, which was open to youths ages 8 to 19. Entrants competed in two categories: preteen and teen.
Besides promoting healthful eating and regular physical activity, this year's contest entrants were encouraged to include messages about sun safety and outdoor play.
The winners in the preteen category were:
- First place – Lyndsey Scheurer, Bismarck, N.D.
- Second place – Megan Tichy, Tower City, N.D.
- Third place – Scout Wheeler, Bismarck, N.D.
The winners in the teen category were:
- First place – Laci Hiatt, Langdon, N.D.
- Second place – Kaitlyn Grossman, Bismarck, N.D.
- Third place – Alyssa Langaas, Fargo
Winners received a $50 gift card for first place, $35 gift card for second place and $15 gift card for third place. All contestants also received a certificate of recognition and an "Eat Smart. Play Hard." item.
"We always enjoy seeing their creative promotion of healthful foods and fitness," said NDSU Extension food and nutrition specialist Julie Garden- Robinson, who helped organize the contest. "We hope that their messages and pictures inspire other children to eat smart and play hard."
"Eat Smart. Play Hard." is an initiative of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Service. It aims to make America's children healthier by providing practical suggestions to motivate kids and their caregivers to eat a healthful diet and be physically active. The NDSU Extension Service and Bison Athletics launched a statewide campaign with the same name in 2005.
Visit www.ndsu.edu/eatsmart for more information about "Eat Smart. Play Hard." The site has resources for families, singles, teens and children.
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