Strengthening the Heartland, a program created to invest in the wellness and prosperity of rural communities, announced the winners of its 2024 Healthy Decision-Making art contest. The contest challenged youth to create a visual representation of what building stronger communities meant to them, including making 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 distributed the posters and bookmarks to schools across both states.

The winners from North Dakota are:

• First place – Matayia Thompson, Barnes County North Public School, Wimbledon, North Dakota – awarded $1,000 of STEAM supplies.
• Second place – Cambri Schatz, Jim Hill Middle School, Minot, North Dakota – awarded $500 of STEAM supplies.
• Third place – Ava Barnard, Jim Hill Middle School, Minot, North Dakota – awarded $250 of STEAM supplies.

“We are thrilled with the level of entries that were submitted for the second year of the contest,” says Meagan Hoffman, associate professor and 4-H youth development specialist with North Dakota State University Extension. “Youth created artwork illustrating their commitment to building better communities across North Dakota. The youth crafted pieces from an abstract prompt, convincing 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 2024 winners, please visit artcontest.launchskills.net. To learn more about Strengthening the Heartland, visit strengtheningtheheartland.com.

Strengthening the Heartland was developed through the collaborative efforts of faculty from NDSU Extension and South Dakota State University Extension. This year’s contest was grant-funded by the Rural Health and Safety Education program, a program of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

NDSU Agriculture Communication – May 31, 2024

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

Editor: Elizabeth Cronin, 701-231-7006, elizabeth.cronin@ndsu.edu