Pennsylvania

Student art contest announced

The Shapiro Administration invites first through sixth grade students in Pennsylvania to enter the 2025 Lyme Disease Student Art Contest by creating a short video or poster focusing on the theme: “Protect. Check. Remove.”

The contest was announced in a news release dated Jan. 23.

“The annual contest helps students, Scout Troops and community youth programs learn how to prevent Lyme disease by educating them about ticks, including where they live, how to prevent bites and how to remove ticks that do bite” according to the news release.

The deadline to enter is 11:59 p.m. March 14.

Contest information and details can be found on the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s website.

According to authorities, Pennsylvania has one of the highest annual counts of Lyme disease cases in the United States, which further emphasizes the importance of teaching children about tick awareness and prevention measures.

“Officials from the departments of health, education, environmental protection and conservation and natural resources encourage young students to participate in the contest and help raise awareness about how Pennsylvanians can protect themselves from Lyme disease,” according to the news release.

“Through the contest, we provide students information on how ticks transmit disease, steps to prevent tick bites, how to remove ticks if found on the body and how to seek timely medical treatment when needed to protect against Lyme and other tickborne illnesses,” state Secretary of Health Dr. Debra Bogen was quoted in the news release.

Finalists will be notified by mail and will be invited to an award ceremony in Harrisburg in May.

In 2024, 29 winners were recognized; the top 12 winners’ artwork was included in a 2025 calendar.

Ticks are usually found in shrubs, weeds, leaf litter and tall grasses. However, ticks can be found anywhere there is grass.

“Protecting against ticks is essential to enjoying the many benefits of getting outdoors,” DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn said.

“Since ticks carrying Lyme disease can be found in every county across Pennsylvania, it’s inspiring to see young people taking an active role in raising awareness to help fight tick bites and prevent these illnesses,” DEP Acting Secretary Jessica Shirley said in the news release.

Steps to protect from getting bitten include covering exposed skin, wearing light colors to help detect ticks and using an EPA-approved insect repellent.

Use permethrin spray on shoes, clothes and gear as an added protection before spending time outside.

After being outside, residents should check themselves, their children and their pets thoroughly for ticks and remove any they find.

Next, take a shower to help remove any ticks possibly crawling on the skin.

Residents can also throw their clothes in the dryer using high heat to help kill any ticks that might be stuck to their clothes.