Ocean County Leader

SIGN UP NOW! OCHD ENCOURAGES STUDENTS TO EXPRESS THEIR CREATIVITY FOR THE ANNUAL PUBLIC HEALTH WEEK AWARENESS COMPETITION.

Time for Ocean County school students to put on their creative thinking caps for the Annual Public Health Awareness Competition sponsored by the Ocean County Health Department (OCHD).

“For National Public Health Awareness Week (NPHW) in 2022 we decided a fun and exciting way for students across all grade levels to learn about important public health issues that affect them, their families and their community would be to compete against other school students using the creative arts,” explained Daniel Regenye, OCHD Public Health Coordinator/Health Officer. “Since last year was such a huge success, we decided to bring it back again this winter and recruit additional schools and students to join the competition.”

Gary Quinn, Ocean County Deputy Commissioner and Liaison to the Ocean County Board of Health added, “Last year this creative contest was such a beneficial learning tool for teachers by educating and challenging students to advocate for public health in their community. Once again, students get the opportunity to demonstrate their creative skills while choosing to spread awareness on a variety of public health topics that are impacting us all today. If you didn’t participate last year we would encourage your school to join us in 2023.”

Students should submit original pieces based on contest criteria to share messaging on one of the following public health topics related to this year’s theme: Centering and Celebrating Cultures in Health.

Nutrition, Hand and Dental Hygiene, Physical Activity, Communicable Disease, Substance Abuse Prevention, or Environmental Health.

Regenye continued, “Students from all grades and schools entered so many creative and unique pieces for last year’s competition we couldn’t have been more pleased. Entries included posters, brochures, essays, poems – just to give you an idea of some of the submissions. Contest criteria is available at the health department website at www.ochd.org or on our social media platforms.”

The Annual Public Health Week Challenge is open for submissions now through Friday, March 24th, 2023. Winners will be announced on March 31st and an award ceremony will be held during National Public Health Week (April 3rd - 9th) to recognize a first, second, and third place winner chosen from each age group (elementary school, middle school, and high school). Winners will receive prizes and have their inspiring work showcased!

The OCHD encourages youth to strive to be public health ambassadors in all situations. We are excited to see what our students submit for this year’s contest and how they will continue to impact the community for the better.

To participate in the Annual Public Health Awareness Competition, please call 732-341-9700 x7236 or x7234, or email us at healthed@ochd.org.  Submissions will be accepted via email, drop-off, or can be coordinated for pick-up as needed.

Original source can be found here.