Several North Dakota youth used their creative skills to place in the second ""Eat Smart. Play Hard."" poster contest.

The North Dakota State University Extension Service, Center for 4-H Youth Development and Bison Athletics sponsored the contest, which was open to youth ages 8 to 19. Contestants were required to create posters to educate North Dakotans about the ""Eat Smart. Play Hard."" program themes: the importance of families eating together, making healthy food choices and getting regular physical exercise.

The posters will be used to promote the statewide ""Eat Smart. Play Hard."" campaign.

Posters were judged in two age divisions: preteen (ages 8 to 12) and teen (ages 13 to 19).

Winners in the preteen division were:

• First - Katie Baumgartner, Strasburg Elementary School
• Second - Madeleinne Zacher, Mountrail County
• Third - Cole Peterson, Burlington-Des Lacs Elementary School
• Honorable mentions - Jacob Meidinger, Ashley Public School; Devanne Lucero, Carlyn Fitzsimmons and Scott Wilson, all of the Parshall School District; Emme Hulm and Suzanne Ternes, both of Strasburg Elementary School; and Corbin Dahle, Ward County

Winners of the teen division were:

• First - Erin Gaugler, Grant County
• Second - Ashley Folden, Parshall School District
• Third - Jalen Finley, Parshall School District
• Honorable mentions - Karolann Sebelius, Rolette High School; and Tre Coffey and Brock Christianson, both of the Parshall School District

Winners in each division received a cash prize of $75 for first place, $50 for second place and $25 for third place. All participants received a certificate of recognition.

About 180 youth entered the contest.

""We had a great response to this contest,"" says Carrie Stark, 4-H youth development specialist and contest coordinator. ""Several schools entered entire classrooms. The quality was excellent and the judges had a hard time selecting just a few winners. Everyone did a great job and should be commended for their effort to promote the 'Eat Smart. Play Hard.' campaign."

NDSU Agriculture Communication