May/June 2018 | Page 19

Congratulations to our 2018 poster winners. Every year, the entries impress me, and this year is no different. I want to thank all the students and Ruth Young, a third-grade student at St. Nicholas - St. Mary’s school in Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County was this year’s first place winner. Ruth’s winning poster playfully depicts the Candy Land game with the theme “There are No Shortcuts to a Beautiful Smile!” Ruth’s poster shows that you can win the game of good oral health by brushing, flossing and going to the dentist. Ruth was presented with her framed winning poster and $500 prize by Dr. Samantha Abod on May 11 at a school assembly. Both St. Nicholas – St. Mary’s school and Ruth’s teacher, Mrs. Cathy Evans, also received prizes of $250 each for being part of first place in PDA’s contest. Our second place winner is eight year old Jaxson Lagace from Elk Valley Elementary in Erie County. Jaxson created a colorful and well drawn poster, “Keep your Teeth Clean and Bright like Great White,” which shows a small fish brushing the teeth of a great white shark. Jaxson received a $250 prize. schools for their participation “The Dental Things” was the design of Kelvin Gonzalez-Atiles, a third grader from Daniel J. Flood Elementary in Wilkes-Barre, who received third place recognition. In Kelvin’s artwork, a large mouth holds all things necessary for good oral health: floss, toothpaste, brushing and rinsing. Kelvin received a $100 prize. of dental health,” and the dentists and their staff members for their continued efforts in their willingness to take time and talk to the schools about the importance said Dr. Samer Mansour, statewide NCDHM chair. “A healthy mouth is the gateway to a healthy body. Childhood dental caries is an epidemic and it is vital to continue our efforts to eradicate it. On behalf of all involved, thank you for your efforts and I hope that you continue educating and learning throughout the year.” The following students were among the statewide Top 10 entries and received an Honorable Mention certificate: • • • • • • • Viacheslav Petrov – Age 10, J. M. Hill School, East Stroudsburg Matthew Quiroz – Age 8, Smithfield Elementary, East Stroudsburg Carlos Longinos – Age 9, Kistler Elementary, Wilkes-Barre Kaila Chung – Age 9, Wilkes-Barre Academy, Wilkes-Barre Amari Collins – Age 9, Resica Elementary, East Stroudsburg Bella Bostidas – Age 8, Middle Smithfield Elementary, East Stroudsburg Amanda Medina –Age 8, David Kistler Elementary, Wilkes-Barre MAY/JU N E 2018 | P EN N SYLVAN IA DEN TAL JOURNAL 17