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Pennsylvania Dental Association Announces Winners of Annual Statewide Third-Grade Student Poster Contest
HARRISBURG – Third-grader Icealyne Meckley of Newberry Elementary School in Goldsboro , York County will receive a $ 500 prize for winning first place in the Pennsylvania Dental Association ’ s ( PDA ) 2021 National Children ’ s Dental Health Month ( NCDHM ) statewide poster contest .
Icealyne ’ s prize-winning entry shows a Garfield-like cat admiring his shiny teeth in a mirror and saying “ Want to keep your teeth ‘ purrfectly ’ white ? Don ’ t rush when you brush and floss like a boss !” Icealyne will be presented with her framed winning poster and $ 500 prize at a future date . Both Newberry Elementary School and Icealyne ’ s teacher , Mrs . Rebecca Derstine , will also receive prizes of $ 250 each for being part of first place in PDA ’ s contest .
Our second-place winner is nine-year-old Jace Dorta from Brecknock Elementary in Berks County . Jace ’ s drawing showed the planet earth as a faucet dripping phrases such as “ no sugar ” and “ removes plaque ” along with the American Dental Association ( ADA ) theme : “ Water : Nature ’ s Drink !” Jace will receive a $ 250 prize and a certificate of recognition .
“ Pirates of the Fluoride Sea – Ahoy , no cavities aboard !” was the message from Avani Chapman , a third-grader from Middle Smithfield Elementary in East Stroudsburg , who received third-place recognition . In Avani ’ s artwork , she drew a colorful ship in the ocean with boats being sailed by tooth pirates . Avani will receive a $ 100 prize and a certificate of recognition .
The winning posters were selected from more than 120 clever , well-designed entries submitted to the PDA Central Office for judging . The contest was open to third-grade students in any Pennsylvania public , private or charter school . More than 1,300 schools were contacted for participation .