DHS news release

April 22, 2008

General contact: Bonnie Widerburg, 971-673-1282
Program contact: Jennifer Ketterman, 971-673-0431

DHS invites elementary students to enter Clean Beaches Art Contest

Oregon fourth and fifth grade students are invited to compete in the third annual Clean Beaches Art Contest.

The contest was previously restricted to students along the Oregon coast, but this year fourth and fifth graders from all areas of the state may enter. The contest deadline is May 23.

The first place winner will receive a small prize and have his or her artwork posted on the Oregon Beach Monitoring Program Web site, the contest sponsor. The winning artist's teacher will receive a $100 gift certificate to Acorn Naturalists, a science and environmental education resource, for use in the classroom. The prizes are covered under beach program federal grant funds.

"The goal is to raise awareness about the importance of protecting our beaches and ocean waters. There are things we can all do to help make sure they are a healthy place to play and swim," said Jennifer Ketterman, beach monitoring program coordinator in the Oregon Department of Human Services.

To be eligible, entries must:

• Be original works of art that convey the clean beaches theme, show imagination and creativity, and have a descriptive title or caption attached;
• Be created on plain white paper no larger than 11 inches by 17 inches;
• Have a completed entry form attached to the back of the artwork; and
• Be received or postmarked by 4:30 p.m., May 23.

Contest details and entry forms are available on the Beach Monitoring Program Web site or can be obtained from Jennifer Ketterman, 971-673-0431.

###