Benny Westcott
Some talented young artists got a chance to practice their craft while also conveying important health messages in a poster contest at Sweet Home High School.
The winners of the My Healthy Sweet Home 2022 poster contest were announced Friday by high school science teacher Michelle Snyder. The contest, which opened in January, was put on by the MIKE program, a Portland-based nonprofit formed to educate and mentor underserved students to lead healthy lives. MIKE has also facilitated a mentorship program between College of Osteopathic Medicine in the Pacific, Northwest and Sweet Home High students this year. The poster entries have been on display outside of the high school library for the past few weeks.
Senior Andra Gordon won the contest with “Healthy Body, Healthy Mind,” and will be receiving the prize of a virtual reality headset. Her entry depicts a woman watering her head, which has been replaced by flowers.
“My original concept was treating your body like a plant, and watering your mind by taking care of your body,” she said. “The watering can is meant to represent all of those things like a healthy diet, exercise, sleep and hydration. All of that waters your mind because you’re taking care of your body. The flowers are supposed to represent emotional, mental and physical growth.”
“I feel like mental health is a really big issue right now, and one of the most important things you can do is take care of your body,” she continued. “People don’t realize how much of an effect your physical health has on your mental health. It’s a really good base level in fixing your mental health, to start taking care of your body. Knowing this has changed how I take care of myself every day, and I think it’s really important for other people to start taking care of themselves so they can have a better mental state.
“Every time I’ve gone through a slump or something difficult in my life, I have started taking care of my physical health by doing things like exercising, just taking a walk outside, getting vitamin D, drinking more water and fixing my sleep schedule. It has made a world of difference. Obviously it’s not a cure-all, but it’s a really important step to fixing your mental health.”
Gordon’s been involved in art since she was a toddler.
“I was always doing stuff with paint and art supplies,” she said. “I just ended up getting into clubs and continuing it throughout my life. My parents are both pretty good artists, so it’s a family thing.”
After high school she plans on attending the International Air and Hospitality Academy in Vancouver, Washington, and becoming a flight attendant.
Winners were selected by Associate Vice-President of Western University of Health Sciences Di Lacey, Sweet Home Family Medical Clinic Primary Care Medical Director Juliette R. Asuncion, MIKE Program Executive Director Justin Zellinger, Sweet Home Community Health Committee Member Larry Horton, and Sweet Home High School science teacher Michelle Snyder. Votes from Sweet Home High School students were also taken into consideration, as people could cast ballots on their favorite posters hanging outside of the high school’s library.
A letter to Gordon from the contest’s voting panel explained, “While all the poster submissions addressed health topics, your poster earned the highest points in creativity, strong health messaging and visual appeal.
“It is most encouraging when young people like you recognize the importance of physical and mental health, and are able to illustrate positive behaviors which benefit the whole body. Your poster provides a strong message that is so relevant today.”
Senior Mercedes Burks tied for second place with “Every Body is Beautiful,” and will receive a $100 Amazon gift card. The poster depicts four female figures with different body types and the tagline “Every Body is Beautiful, Treat Yours Like It!”
“I just thought that this would be a good chance to spread something important,” she said. “Girls especially love [the poster]. I think a lot of girls find it relatable. I had so many girls coming up to me and saying, ‘I love your poster so much.’
“I think most high school girls at this time struggle with their body changing and the way that they look at it as it changes, as an insecurity,” she continued. “We compare ourselves to other women more often than we should. Things like that can lead to eating disorders, which I’ve seen even in friends, and unhealthy lifestyles because you’re insecure about the way you look.
“I’ve seen TikToks of girls grabbing their fat. Then another woman will make one relating to it and she’s a bigger woman, and she’s like, ‘Why is this skinny woman addressing this, when I look like this?’
“But she has insecurities too. She doesn’t feel good about herself. And just because she looks different than you doesn’t mean that she’s not allowed to, because she has something else that she’s insecure about.”
Snyder said, “I think the perception is that skinny girls should not have body image issues, but not everybody feels comfortable in their own skin no matter what you look like.”
Burks plans to attend Pima Medical Institute in Phoenix, Arizona, after high school.
Senior Carsen Perry tied for second with his entry, “You Only Live Once … So Make It Last!,” which depicts images of people engaged in healthy exercise, as well as some nutritious food options and a few quotes, such as one from Dr. Oz that reads, “You can’t get rid of a bad habit, but you can replace it with a good habit.”
Senior Paige Chaifin and juniors Spencer Pedraza and Amadia Newcomer each took third and $25 Amazon gift cards for their posters.
All six submissions will be showcased in a touring exhibit at Sweet Home City Hall, the Sweet Home Family Medical Clinic and the Western University of Health Sciences campus in Lebanon.
“It takes extreme courage to do what you did and put yourself out there,” Snyder told the contest participants. “And now you’re going to be traveling artists.”