Youth poster contest promotes dental health

Photo courtesy of Anna Lovejoy ARTISTIC TEENS- Oak Park High School art students win many awards for their submissions to the poster contest sponsored by First 5 Ventura County. From left, Rachel Schall, Shannon Eu (first place winner in the freshman category), Katie Zabel, Kevin Tung (junior, winner), Brett Hall, art teacher Anna Lovejoy, Alexis Vandenberg, John Galan, Colin Rickard and Adam Estrin. Meghan Toomayan, who won first place in the sophomore category, is not pictured.

Oak Park High School art students won top awards in the recent First 5 Ventura County "Healthy Teeth Begin at Birth" poster contest.

Out of 220 entries from throughout Ventura County high schools, Oak Park students in every grade level were among the winners.

Anna Lovejoy, an art teacher at the school, said students in her drawing and painting classes were invited to participate in the contest.

Freshman Shannon Eu, sophomore Meghan Toomayan, and junior Kevin Tung, captured grade level awards in the contest for poster designs depicting the importance of proper dental care from birth to age five.

"I am constantly amazed at the creativity and talent I see at OPHS," Lovejoy said. "These students are truly gifted and we have so many interested in careers in art and design. Oak Park High art students are representing their school in becoming one of the finest art departments in the state!"

All the finalists in the contest received a certificate of recognition and oral hygiene products. Each of the three winners was presented with a $50 check.

"There were several finalists for OPHS, but, there is only one first place winner in each grade category for high school," Lovejoy said. "Oak Park High, came out on top."

- Stephanie Bertholdo