KELLOGG — For the third consecutive year, Panhandle Health District’s Lead Health Intervention Program hosted its Lead Awareness Poster Contest, showcasing how students prevent lead exposure in their daily lives. 

The contest is for students in grades three through five. Each participant creates a poster illustrating strategies to avoid lead exposure, reinforcing lessons taught during LHIP’s annual spring classroom visits for kindergarten through third grade. The contest helps older students stay engaged with lead safety even after they “graduate” from those visits. 

“This contest is a fun way to keep the conversation going,” said Emily Hasz, LHIP outreach coordinator. “It reminds kids that lead exposure is still a concern in our community and gives them a chance to share what they’ve learned.” 

The posters were displayed during National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week in the shared lobby of Panhandle Health District and Idaho Health and Welfare at 35 Wildcat Way in Kellogg. Community members can view the artwork, which was judged by a committee of staff from Panhandle Health and the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality. With one winner being selected from each grade level. 

Thirty-three submissions came from Pinehurst Elementary, Canyon Elementary, Harrison Elementary and Silver Valley Christian Academy.    

This year’s winners include Dismas Shibler of Canyon Elementary (third grade), Hyrum Creswell of Pinehurst Elementary (fourth grade), and Camille Cloud of Harrison Elementary (fifth grade). All of the contest’s participants received a prize, but each winner received a $25 gift card, plus a bunch of other swag. 

According to Hasz, events like this carry special significance for families living within the Bunker Hill Superfund site, where lead exposure remains a public health concern. Children younger than 6 are most vulnerable, but all youth benefit from education on prevention. Lead exposure can cause slowed growth, developmental delays, hearing problems, lower IQ, behavioral changes, anemia and even brain and nervous system damage. 

“Lead poisoning is preventable, and education is key,” Hasz said. “When kids understand the risks and how to avoid them, it makes a real difference.” 

    The poster made by Harrison Elementary School fifth grader Camille Cloud.
  

    The poster made by Pinehurst Elementary School fourth grader Hyrum Creswell.
  

    The poster made by Canyon Elementary School third grader Dismas Shibler.