Five from CCS winners in radon poster contest

    Chase County Schools was well represented with winners in the 14th annual Radon Poster Contest.
    The fall contest entries were judged in December and presentations were held at participating schools in January for Radon Action Month.
    The contest was open to children ages 9-14, and sponsored by the Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department
     “The radon poster contest is a fun way for students to learn more about the high levels of radon we have here in Nebraska and what can be done about it,” said Joy Trail, SWNPHD radon program manager.
    “The students are very creative. Our congratulations go to all of them for helping to educate our communities about the dangers of radon and how to reduce the risk of lung cancer,” she said.
     Judges selected the following poster winners:
Ages 9 to 10
    1st Anna McNair, CCS; 2nd Leonardo Ballesteros, CCS; 3rd Joslyn Kollmorgen, Hitchcock County Schools.
Ages 11 to 12
    1st Place Amelia Russell, CCS;  2nd Maria Adle, CCS; 3rd Ari Wenzlick, CCS.
Ages 13 to 14
    1st Lucy Schlake, Ogallala; 2nd Jessa Hughes, Ogallala: 3rd Eva Draucker, Ogallala.
     Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States.
    It is a colorless, odorless and tasteless gas that enters homes and buildings and cannot be detected unless it is tested.  
    In Nebraska, one out of two homes test high for radon.
    Do-it-yourself test kits are as accurate as professional testing and are available at local hardware stores, Trail said. They are also available online with links to credible sites on the health department website.