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Dr . Dana Craig of Kampas Orthodontics visited her son ’ s class at Oakview Elementary School in Lakeview School District in Stoneboro for a children ’ s dental health presentation on National Tooth Fairy Day ( February 28 ). It was truly a family affair . Dr . Craig was accompanied by the Tooth Fairy , played by her mom , Mrs . Lynn Charlton , for a fun lesson with the kids .
Third-Grade Poster Contest
Our NCDHM lesson plan kits included instructions for entering the PDA-sponsored , third-grade poster contest , in which PDA annually awards $ 850 in monetary prizes to the students who design the top three posters . In addition , the first-place winner ’ s school and teacher each receive a monetary prize . This year , the PDA Central Office received over 360 artistic and creative entries for judging .
Harper Layman , a nine-year-old student at Fairview Elementary School in Erie County , was this year ’ s first-place winner . Harper ’ s prize-winning entry gives us the positive affirmation that , “ You ’ re a Queen When You Clean !” When asked about her inspiration for her design , Harper said , “ I decided to make the theme about being a queen because it rhymes with clean .”
On April 29 , PDA ’ s Statewide NCDHM Chair , Dr . Sam Mansour , and Fairview Elementary Principal , Dr . Ben Horn planned a surprise event where Harper was presented with her custom framed winning poster and $ 500 prize . “ I was very surprised and shocked to win ,” she said . “ I am using my winnings to buy my cousin a present since she is getting her tonsils out and something special for my Mom .” Both Fairview Elementary School and Harper ’ s teacher , Michelle Bernatowicz received prizes for being part of the first-place entry .
“ Each of my students was excited by the idea of supporting NCDHM ,” Bernatowicz said . “ Harper got right to work knowing her poster would encourage other children who saw her work to ‘ be a queen , when they clean .’” She also credited Fairview ’ s school nurse , Abby Thomas , for educating her students about dental hygiene and motivating them to participate in the contest . “ We are stronger learners when we are healthy and happy .”
Fairview Elementary annually holds dental health presentations for third graders and has participated in PDA ’ s poster contest for the past 12 years .
We have never won , however , I was excited to receive the news of Harper winning ,” said Dr . Horn . “ She is a great student and very creative . She put a lot of effort into her poster and I ’ m excited to see her rewarded for her efforts and talent .”
26 MAY / JUNE 2024 | PENNSYLVANIA DENTAL JOURNAL