Politics & Government

Troy Student Sends Clear Message About Non-Smoking

Fourth-grader Karina Ritter won a county-wide anti-smoking poster contest.

A Troy Craughwell fourth-grader isn't foggy about smoking. Karina Ritter recently won a tobacco-free poster contest.

Her poster, entitled, "I See A Clear Future For Those Who Don't Smoke," was selected among 70 entries from students throughout Will County. 

To prevent kids from smoking, the American Academy of Family Physicians developed a program called Tar Wars. Will County Tobacco Control and Prevention teamed up with the Lewis University College of Nursing to present Tar Wars to more than 8,000 area grade-schoolers. 

Presentations emphasized the short-term, image-based consequences of tobacco use and costs associated with using tobacco products, according to a Will County Health Department press release. Students also learned the advertising techniques used by tobacco companies to market harmful products to youths, it said.

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Once the students attended the presentation, they were eligible to enter a poster into the contest. The top eight posters will advance to the state competition. Finalists will be judged nationally in Washington, D.C.

Ritter received a $75 Walmart gift card. Runners up and honorable mentions also received prizes and certificates of participation.

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Ritter was honored by the Troy school board last week. Superintendent Don White said a copy of her poster will be displayed in the district office.

Will County Executive Larry Walsh and 52 health department employees and volunteers served as judges, the release said. Posters were judged on creativity, originality and artistic ability. They were also judged on a clear tobacco-free message.


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