North Dakota youth displayed their creativity and health and nutrition knowledge this spring in the fifth annual North Dakota “Eat Smart. Play Hard.” poster contest.

“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 North Dakota State University Extension Service and Bison Athletics launched a statewide campaign of the same name in 2005.

The North Dakota Dietetic Association, NDSU Center for 4-H Youth Development and NDSU Extension Service co-sponsored the poster contest, which was open to youth age 8 to 19. Entrants competed in two categories: preteen and teen.

The winners in the preteen category were:

• First place – Catherine Manstrom, Wyndmere
• Second place – Rudra Patel, Minot
• Third place – Tessa Schroeder, Oriska

“It’s important to be fit and healthy, and being healthy will make you happier,” Manstrom says.

The winners of the teen category were:

• First place – Sierra Skye Rensch, New Town
• Second place – Abby Braaten, Barney
• Third place – Carly Boe, Perth

“The ‘Eat Smart. Play Hard.’ program has been instrumental in helping the youth of North Dakota learn more about achieving and maintaining healthy lifestyles,” says Kelly Fisher, president of the North Dakota Dietetic Association. “The ‘Eat Smart. Play Hard.’ poster contest provides a creative avenue for our youth to share their perspectives on healthy eating and fun activity.”

Winners received 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 received a certificate of recognition and an “Eat Smart. Play Hard.” memo board.

The winning posters were selected from among 150 entries developed by youth in 12 counties.

“The children were very creative in their promotion of healthful foods and fitness,” says NDSU Extension Service food and nutrition specialist Julie Garden-Robinson, who helped organize the contest. “We were pleased that so many students from across North Dakota entered posters in the contest.”

Visit http://www.ndsu.edu/eatsmart for more information about “Eat Smart. Play Hard.” The site has resources for families, singles, teens and children.

NDSU Agriculture Communication - April 11, 2011