The annual “Ethics and Morals” essay contest was sponsored by the Health Ahead/Heart Smart Children’s Health Program. Sixth grade students in Bogalusa area schools and the Washington Parish School system participated in the contest. Students in public, private, and parochial schools wereencouraged to participate. Each school selected a first and second place winner to compete in the district judging. Essays were judged at Pine High School by Cynthia McGehee, Betty Hartfield, Jan Wood and Cynthia Pope. Winners of the essay contest were:

• First place — Dustyn Grabert, Mt. Hermon School.
• Second place — Luke Spears, Pine Jr. High School.
• Third place — Kaydence Gains and Lauryn Smith, Varnado Jr. High School.

Winners were recognized at an awards luncheon at Cafe Boucheé in Franklinton. Principals, teachers, and students were welcomed by Washington Parish Program Coordinator, Anita Wood. Heart Smart Program Director, Dr. Gerald Berenson, Professor of Cardiology at LSU School of Medicine was the guest speaker. Terri McMillian, Bogalusa coordinator, gave the invocation.

Berenson presented the awards. The first place winner received a gold medallion, second place a silver medallion and two third place winners received bronze medallions. Each winner received a certificate and check for their entries. At the school level, each first place winner received a check and certificate.

Following the presentations, lunch was served and enjoyed by attendees. Those attending the luncheon were: Principal Jennifer Thomas, Luke Spears, Benjamin Spears, and Elizabeth Lala, sixth grade teacher from Pine Jr. High, Principal Dawn Seal, Lee Bond, sixth grade teacher and Dustyn Grabert from Mt. Hermon Jr. High and Assistant Principal, Polly Thigpen, Lauren Smith, Kaydence Gains and Amanda Dillion sixth grade teacher from Varnado Jr. High. Dr. Gerald Berenson and Dr. J. Xu of New Orleans, Terri McMillian and Anita Wood represented the Heart Smart Program.

The Health Ahead/Heart Smart Program staff thanks Washington Parish School Superintendent, Darryll Fairburn for supporting the children’s health program. Also the program expresses a special thank you to Bridgette Russell of Gayle’s Jewelers in Bogalusa for inscribing the medallions for the winners.