Health Department issues thanks

To the Editor:

The Clay County Health Department would like to thank everyone who helped with the recent Fifth-Grade Smoking Prevention Poster Contest.

Thanks to Kevin Higgins of A-Plus Printing and Jane Mills of Lamar Outdoor Advertising for contributing to the prizes.

A big thank you to all of the judges; Clay County Commissioners Paul Sinders, Jack Withers and Charlie Brown, Brazil Parks and Recreation Board President Ruth Ann Jeffries and Clay County Health Department Nursing Secretary Bell Killion. Special thanks to Jack Withers for sharing his personal story with the kids to help the understand the devastating consequences of tobacco use.

Thanks to The Brazil Times and The Clay City News for their excellent coverage of the event. Thank you to all the staff of Clay Community Schools and Cornerstone Christian Academy. And a very special thanks to all the fifth-grade students who participated so eagerly and enthusiastically.

The two grand prize winners were Elan Puerner (Staunton Elementary School), and Morgan Idland (Clay City Elementary School).

The other school winners were Camerson Rae Carroll (Forest Park Elementary School), Caitlyn Herron (Van Buren Elementary School), Kayler Prano (Meridian Elementary School), Nicholas Ross (Jackson Township Elementary School), Kerstie Shaw (East Side Elementary School) and Leah Jo Stephens (Cornerstone Christian Academy).

It's been determined that half of all smokers will eventually die of a smoking-related disease. To help prevent a child from starting to smoke is one of the greatest gifts anybody can give and it could actually save a child's life.

Please look for the winning posters to be displayed the week of Nov. 30, on billboards on United States 40 west of Bob Bowen Ford and on State Road 59 north of the SR 46 junction.

Dr. Rahim Farid, Public Health Officer,

Diane Dierks, RN Public Health Nurse, and

Linda Messmer, RN Community Health Educator,

Brazil