SDSU announces "Healthy Decision-Making" art contest winners

Strengthening the Heartland, a program created by South Dakota State University Extension and North Dakota State University Extension to invest in the wellness and prosperity of rural communities across the Dakotas, has announced the winners of its inaugural "Healthy Decision-Making" art contest.
Nelson art
Sarah Nelson's winning piece of artwork. Nelson is currently a student at Iroquois High School.

Strengthening the Heartland, a program created by South Dakota State University Extension and North Dakota State University Extension to invest in the wellness and prosperity of rural communities across the Dakotas, has announced the winners of its inaugural "Healthy Decision-Making" art contest.

Tschappat art
Rhylan Tschappat's artwork. Tschappat attends Frederick Area School District. 

"We are thrilled with the level of entries that were submitted this year," said Amber Letcher, project director and an SDSU associate professor. "Students were given a prompt and created works of art that they should be proud of."

The winners are:

South Dakota Grand Prize ($1,000 worth of STEAM supplies)

  • Sarah Nelson — Iroquois — Iroquois High School

South Dakota Runner-up ($500 worth of STEAM supplies)

  • Rhylan Tschappat — Frederick — Frederick Area School District

South Dakota Third Place ($250 worth of STEAM supplies)

  • Grace Richter — Pierre — T.F. Riggs Public High School

Three students from North Dakota were also chosen.

The contest, funded by the Rural Health and Safety Education program of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, asked students to create pieces of work that illustrate how to make healthy decisions in day-to-day life. The winning students were awarded science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics (STEAM) supplies for their schools.

Richter art
Grace Richter's artwork. Richter attends T.F. Riggs Public High School. 

"These students crafted pieces that convinced others to think about healthy living in new and unique ways," Letcher said.

With the number of entries and excitement surrounding the contest, Strengthening the Heartland plans to conduct another art contest in October 2023. Middle and high school students across the Dakotas will be encouraged to submit their work.

For more information on the art contest.

For more on Strengthening the Heartland.

By SDSU Staff

Republishing

You may republish SDSU News Center articles for free, online or in print. Questions? Contact us at sdsu.news@sdstate.edu or 605-688-6161.

Related Areas
Collage of photos featuring students, faculty, and staff of the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Student teacher and child playing on log
School of Education, Counseling and Human Development
Strengthening the Heartland team members in circles over a blue background
Strengthening the Heartland