'Eat Smart. Play Hard.' Poster Contest Set

If you are 8 to 19 years old, you have a chance to test your creative talents, win prizes and encourage your friends and family to live a heart-healthy lifestyle.

The North Dakota State University Extension Service is holding an “Eat Smart. Play Hard.” poster contest. The Extension Service is looking for posters that educate youth and adults about the importance of eating calcium-rich foods and/or playing hard to build strong bones.

All entries must be postmarked by March 31.

“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 of the same name in 2005.

This is the third annual “Eat Smart. Play Hard.” poster contest the NDSU Extension Service and Bison Athletics have sponsored.

Posters will be judged in two age divisions: 8 to 12 and 13 to 19. Contestants’ ages will be based on how old they were on Sept. 1, 2008.

Judges will look for how well the posters present information and educate others about a healthful lifestyle. Judges also will consider the posters’ general appearance.

The posters should not exceed 22 inches by 28 inches. They can be made with construction paper, poster board or tagboard, but they can’t be three-dimensional. Also, contestants can’t use copyrighted characters such as Snoopy, Charlie Brown or cartoon characters.

Prizes will be awarded in both age divisions. They are a $50 gift card for first place, a $35 gift card for second place and a $15 gift card for third place. In addition, all contestants will receive a certificate of recognition.

Send entries to the Center for 4-H Youth Development, Attn: Eat Smart. Play Hard. Poster Contest Entry, NDSU Dept. 7280, P.O. Box 6050, Fargo, ND. 58108-6050.

For more information about the “Eat Smart. Play Hard.” program or living a more healthful lifestyle, visit http://www.fns.usda.gov/eatsmartplayhard/ or http://www.mypyramid.gov.

Poster contest rules are available at http://www.ext.nodak.edu/4h/publications/ESPH_Poster_Rules.pdf. For an entry form, go to http://www.ext.nodak.edu/4h/publications/ESPH_Poster_Submission.pdf.

The American Heart Association, NDSU Center for 4-H Youth Development and NDSU Department of Health, Nutrition and Exercise Sciences are co-sponsoring the contest.

NDSU Agriculture Communication