6 • Off icialKidsMag.com •march 2019
how would you like to help prevent one of the biggest causes of disease and death in
arkansas? Well, you can! Tobacco and nicotine are the super-bad villains you'll be taking
down, and all you need is imagination, a desire to keep kids healthy and the ability to put
thoughts into words.
a project called "My reason to Write" gives arkansas students
in grades 2 – 8 the chance to write an essay, poem or song lyrics
to "Describe the Ways You can Live Tobacco and Nicotine
Free," and to show your friends how they can do the
same. It's part of Project Prevent, sponsored by arkansas
Department of health and arkansas children's hospital.
and, there are really cool prizes for the winners in each
category.
amanda Eddy heads up the project, which is held each
year. She's excited to see the creative ways the contest
will encourage children to become champions for healthy
lifestyles. "It's an empowering way for them to look
at this issue through creative outlets--to take the
power back into their own hands and be tobacco
free." That includes vaping, which ms. Eddy says
is "a huge problem in Northwest arkansas.
We see a lot of explosions with these devices.
They're mass produced and not regulated."
a third party will judge all entries, and
the winners will be announced on may 17
at 5 p.m. Judging will be based on creativity,
effectiveness and accuracy of message, ethics/
good taste and quality of writing.
"The winners also get to go to conferences
within the state of arkansas," Eddy said. "It's all
about educating the community and getting the youth
involved in tobacco prevention. The tobacco industry
in general targets kids—even young kids. With this
"my reason to Write" project, we're putting power
back in their hands."
Now for the part you've been waiting for – the prizes!
"Each grade has first, second and third awards, which
are the same for all," ms. Eddy explained.
Fight Tobacco dangers
with Your essay, Poem
or song lyrics
For kids in grades 2 – 5,
your essay should be
between 200 and 450
words.
For grades 6 – 8, essays
should be 300 to 750
words.
song lyrics and poems
are the same for all
grades: 100-150 words.
all entries must be
received before Monday,
april 15 at 5 p.m. The
essays, poems and lyrics
may be handwritten or
electronic.
TO suBMiT via
POsTal Mail:
Laura Taylor, Outreach
specialist-Tobacco
Prevention
arkansas Children's
Hospital
1 Children's Way, slot
669
little rock, ar 72202
TO suBMiT via
eMail:
taylorlb@archildrens.org
Phone: 501-364-3883
how
to
enter:
Project Prevent Contest Is Open for
Arkansas Students in Grades 2-8 until April 15
by Suzanne Rhodes
Special to Official Kids Mag
1sT PlaCe –
Chromebook
2nd PlaCe –
samsung galaxy
7" nook and
$50 Barnes &
noble gift card
3rd PlaCe –
Beats eP
Headphones
