Students from Johnston County Schools and McDowell County Schools received top honors in the North Carolina Summer Nutrition Programs Artwork contest. The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) School Nutrition Services staff invited students to design artwork to help increase the visibility of its Summer Nutrition Programs.
“What better way to capture a student’s attention than student artwork,” NCDPI School Nutrition Services Section Chief Lynn Harvey said. “The state’s Summer Nutrition Programs provide a critical service to students who may go hungry when school is out. It’s important we reach these students, and we feel confident the artwork will help grab their attention,” she said.
Student artwork contest winners will be recognized at the N.C. Summer Nutrition Programs kick off at Deep River Recreation Center on Monday, June 19, from 9 – 11:30 am. Deep River Recreation Center is located at 1529 Skeet Club Road, High Point.
The N.C. Summer Nutrition Programs, administered by NCDPI School Nutrition Services, provide meals at no cost to children and teens, ages 18 and younger, at almost 3,000 locations across the state during the summer months. Last summer, over 5.4 million meals were served to children and teens through these programs, but only 15 out of every 100 eligible children benefited. Part of the challenge is lack of awareness about the meal program.
NCDPI School Nutrition Services Chief Lynn Harvey said that more than one in four children or 27 percent in North Carolina struggle with food insecurity or not knowing where their next meal is coming from. During the school year, many students rely on the nutritious meals served through the School Breakfast Program and National School Lunch Program. “Hunger does not take a summer break. Well-balanced meals can positively impact student’s growth and development and help fuel bodies so students can return to school healthy, happy and ready to learn,” she said.
The new N.C. Summer Nutrition Programs logo was designed by the first place winner and the mascot was created by the first-runner up team of students. The contest was open to students in grades 6 through 12. Submitted logos were required to be original and created completely by the student. Only one entry of artwork, a logo and a tagline, per student/student group was allowed. Award recipients were:
First Place:
Ashley Salinas Antunez
Corinth Holders High School (Johnston County Schools)
Teacher - Keri Broach
First Runner-Up
Five-Student Team: Sloane Yates, Natalie Palmor, Tate Proctor, Braxton Chase, Andrew Leach
Corinth Holders High School (Johnston County Schools)
Teacher - Keri Broach
Second Runner-Up:
Lesley Sanchez
McDowell High School (McDowell County Schools)
Teacher - Myra Taylor Morgan
The first place winner, along with the first and second runner-up, will be recognized at the N.C. Summer Nutrition Programs kick off on June 19, the School Nutrition Association of North Carolina Annual Conference on June 22, and the North Carolina School Nutrition Administrators Conference in October. No Kid Hungry North Carolina will provide cash awards to the top three winning entries.
NCDPI School Nutrition Services administers the Summer Nutrition Programs using federal funds from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. For questions regarding N.C. Summer Nutrition Programs or the artwork contest, contact NCDPI Summer Nutrition Programs Manager Cynthia Ervin.
USDA and NCDPI are equal opportunity providers and employers. Additional information regarding School Nutrition Programs in North Carolina can be found on the School Nutrition Services website.
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the agency (state or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form (AD-3027) available online and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:
- mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;
- fax: (202) 690-7442; or
- email.
About the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction:
The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction provides leadership to 115 local public school districts and 160 charter schools serving over 1.5 million students in kindergarten through high school graduation. The agency is responsible for all aspects of the state's public school system and works under the direction of the North Carolina State Board of Education.