On Wednesday, May 24, 2017, the American Heart Association hosted the 2017 GET HEALTHY! Poster Contest Award Ceremony at the Rhode Island State House, recognizing the winners of the annual competition.
Sponsored by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Rhode Island, and in partnership with the Rhode Island Foundation, this year’s GET HEALTHY! Poster Contest received nearly 6,000 submissions from across Rhode Island by students in kindergarten through fifth grade. Students were asked to draw a picture of their favorite physical activity and favorite healthy food, or demonstrate how physical activity and healthy eating help build healthy hearts, healthy families and healthy communities.
Opening the ceremony, American Heart Association of Southern New England Board Member Laurie Stephenson said, “The American Heart Association is working to ensure that the places where children and adolescents live, learn, and play make it easy and enjoyable for them to eat healthy foods and be active. As we work on policies at the State House that effect children’s health, we wanted to take an extra step and get youth involved in the process because their voice is so important.” Stephenson, a mother, congenital heart disease survivor, and vice chair of the association’s Advocacy Committee, added, “Together we can inspire change in our schools, our communities and our state. Together we can make each day healthier for all children.”
Congratulations to the 2017 GET HEALTHY! Poster Contest Winners:
In Grades K-2:
1st place – Kamryn Lehner – Hathaway Elementary (Portsmouth, RI)
2nd place – Kaylisya Rose Silva – Nathaniel Greene Elementary (Pawtucket, RI)
3rd place – Evan Benoit & Christopher Cherry Jr. – Windsor Hill School (Johnston, RI)
In Grades 3-5:
1st place – Ikaya Miranda – Henry J. Winters Elementary School (Pawtucket, RI)
2nd place – Madelina Martin – Harris Elementary School (Woonsocket, RI)
3rd place – Denise Ruiz – Henry J. Winters Elementary School (Pawtucket, RI)