Commissioner Miller Honors Student Art Contest Winners (9/16/2016)

Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller today recognized Ashley Porter of Thrall High School in Thrall and Jake Schultze of Marion Elementary School – Karrer Campus in Marion as the winners of the Texas Department of Agriculture’s (TDA) You Art What You Eat statewide student art contest. This initiative is part of TDA’s efforts to promote National School Lunch Week 2016, which takes place Oct. 10-14. The winning artwork illustrates this year’s theme, Vote for a Winning Lunch, and inspired the creation of TDA’s posters that Texas schools will feature during National School Lunch Week 2016. Ashley earned the top honor in the middle/high school category and Jake won in the elementary contest.

“Young people have the most powerful voice for promoting good nutrition to themselves and theirfriends,” Commissioner Miller said. “This contest is a great way to let Texas students be the leaders in showcasing why leading a healthy lifestyle is so important. School nutrition teams in Texas work hard to serve the healthy food students need to succeed and thrive, and I’m excited to see Ashley’s and Jake’s artwork encourage students all across the state to eat the healthy meals in their school lunchrooms.”

National School Lunch Week was established in 1962 as a nationwide celebration to raise student awareness about the importance of eating a healthy school lunch each day. Each year, TDA creates a theme and develops resources tailored to promote school nutrition programs and National School Lunch Week.  

The winning artwork inspired the designs for TDA’s 2016 National School Lunch Week promotions. Materials featuring the winning students’ artwork include suggested menus, newsletter ads, social media ads and flyers. The posters will be on display in the State Capitol March 1-6, 2017, along with the artwork submitted by the winners and other top finalists.

“We are extremely proud that Ashley’s artwork was selected as the winning piece in TDA’s You Art What You Eat contest,” Thrall High School Principal Travis Dube said. “In addition to being a fantastic student, varsity athlete, community volunteer and FFA officer, Ashley is a natural leader on campus. Because the community of Thrall is so ingrained in agriculture, we have made the September 16 district-wide pep rally theme Youth in Agriculture. We are all very proud that Commissioner Miller will be making a personal appearance to present Ashley with her award. It will be a very special day for Ashley and Thrall High School.”

The Marion Elementary – Karrer Campus principal echoed similar sentiments in his appreciation for Jake’s impressive achievement.

“Marion Independent School District is so proud of Jake Schultze, one of our third grade students, for placing first in the You Art What You Eat contest,” Principal Paul Goetzke said. “His creative efforts and hard work to bring awareness to school nutrition and promote healthy choices is commendable. We are super excited for Jake and his family.”

TDA introduced the You Art What You Eat statewide student art contest in 2016 and invited all Texas students attending a school participating in the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs to submit entries. TDA received 74 entries for the National School Lunch Week art contest.

Additionally, TDA will announce the winners of the School Breakfast Week You Art What You Eat statewide student art contest early next year. Students are also encouraged to look for information about next year’s art contests in early 2017.

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