386 ON MAY 12, 2007, Helena Castro, from <strong>The</strong> Wheeler School in Providence, won the 14 th Annual Statewide Tar Wars Rhode Isl<strong>and</strong> poster contest held at the Thundermist Heath Center in Woonsocket. Helena was among 35 fifth-grade students from elementary schools across the state to compete in this annual event sponsored by the Rhode Isl<strong>and</strong> Medical Society, the Rhode Isl<strong>and</strong> Academy <strong>of</strong> Family Physicians, the Rhode Isl<strong>and</strong> Chapter <strong>of</strong> the American Academy <strong>of</strong> Pediatrics, <strong>and</strong> the American Legacy Foundation. Tar Wars®, a tobacco-free education program that discourages tobacco use among the country’s youth, is coordinated nationally by the American Academy <strong>of</strong> Family Physicians. As the first-place winner <strong>of</strong> the 2007 Tar Wars Rhode Isl<strong>and</strong> poster contest, Helena <strong>and</strong> her family traveled to Washington, DC, in July at <strong>RI</strong>MS Foundation expense to take part in the National Tar Wars poster contest event. <strong>The</strong> national competition is a two-day event. Students are provided MEDICINE & HEALTH/RHODE ISLAND ANNOUNCEMENT Students Across the State Participate in Tar Wars Rhode Isl<strong>and</strong> Tobacco-Free Education Program Back row celebrity judges (from left to right): Margaret Sun, MD, Nicholas Tsiongas, MD, Andrew Snyder, MD, Barbara Morse Silva, <strong>and</strong> David Bourassa, MD Front row contest winners (left to right): Nancy Hern<strong>and</strong>ez (third place) from Ella Risk Elementary School in Central Falls; Zooey Arnold-Conner (second-place) from International Charter School in Pawtucket; <strong>and</strong> Helena Castro (first place) from <strong>The</strong> Wheeler School in Providence. an opportunity to voice their opinions about tobacco use to their congressional leaders, participate in tobacco-free workshops, <strong>and</strong> meet other state winners. Among the 41 posters submitted for the 2007 competition, Helena was awarded 10 th place Honorable Mention. During this year’s award ceremonies, the Rhode Isl<strong>and</strong> Medical Society Foundation was awarded the American Academy <strong>of</strong> Family Physicians’ nationally recognized Tar Wars Star Award in recognition <strong>of</strong> its significant contributions to the Tar Wars mission through long-term efforts <strong>and</strong> unique accomplishments. Tar Wars Rhode Isl<strong>and</strong> has been in existence for 14 years. Each year, memberphysicians from the Rhode Isl<strong>and</strong> Medical Society visit classrooms throughout the state <strong>and</strong> talk with students about the importance <strong>of</strong> being tobacco-free <strong>and</strong> making positive decisions about their health <strong>and</strong> well-being. As always, <strong>RI</strong>MS is looking for physician volunteers. If you are interested in becoming a Tar Wars presenter, please contact Catherine Norton at 528- 3286 or cnorton@rimed.org.
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