Strengthening the Heartland, a program created to invest in the wellness and prosperity of rural communities, announced the winners of its first Healthy Decision-Making art contest. The contest challenged youth to create a visual representation of how to make healthy decisions in daily life. The selected winners were awarded science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics (STEAM) supplies for their schools.

Students across North Dakota and South Dakota submitted illustrations, drawings and paintings. Judges recognized a first, second and third place award in each state based on craftsmanship, originality and interpretation of the topic. Strengthening the Heartland created posters featuring the first-place winners and bookmarks featuring the second and third place winners. The program will distribute the posters and bookmarks to schools across both states.

The winners from North Dakota are:

• First place – Gleven Pascual, Erik Ramstad Middle School, Minot, North Dakota – awarded $1,000 of STEAM supplies.
• Second place – Blake Hasse, Sargent Central Public School, Forman, North Dakota – awarded $500 of STEAM supplies.
• Third place – Abree Diaz Gonzalez, Hebron Public School, Hebron, North Dakota – awarded $250 of STEAM supplies.

Based on interest in the first art contest, Strengthening the Heartland plans to conduct another contest in October 2023. Middle and high school youth across North Dakota and South Dakota will be encouraged to submit their artwork.

“We are thrilled with the level of entries that were submitted this year,” says Meagan Hoffman, associate professor and 4-H youth development specialist at North Dakota State University. “Youth created artwork illustrating what healthy decision-making means to them. The youth crafted pieces to convince others to think about healthy living in new and unique ways.”

If you would like to learn more about the Healthy Decision-Making art contest and view all of the 2023 winners, please visit artcontest.launchskills.net. To learn more about Strengthening the Heartland, visit strengtheningtheheartland.com.

Strengthening the Heartland developed through the collaborative efforts of faculty from NDSU Extension and South Dakota State University Extension. The program is funded by grants from the National Institute of Food and Agriculture and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

NDSU Agriculture Communication – May 8, 2023

Source: Meagan Hoffman, 701-231-7964, meagan.scott@ndsu.edu

Editor: Elizabeth Cronin, 701-231-7881, elizabeth.croni@ndsu.edu