COMMUNITY 10 SIgNAL TrIBUNE AUgUST 12, 2011 “got Milk?” campaign giving teens a chance to win $1,000 through ad contest
The California Milk Processor Board, the creator of the “Got Milk?” campaign, is sponsoring a photo contest that allows teenagers to show the importance of eating breakfast.
From innovative models like allowing students to eat at their desks at the start of the school day to alternatives like packaged “grab-n-go” meals, educators are hungry for ways to increase breakfast participation on campus. Research shows that students who routinely eat a nutritious breakfast perform better on tests, have lower rates of tardiness and absences, and have overall better eating habits. That’s why State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson and school officials across the Golden State have partnered with the Califor-
nia Milk Processor Board (CMPB), the creator of the “Got Milk?” campaign, to keep daily breakfast consumption with dairy milk top-of-mind among the more than six million students in California. Through a photo contest, a California teen will have an opportunity to be featured on a “Got Milk?” billboard and to win $1,000 by showing why breakfast with milk is important for health and academic success. “Good nutrition helps students succeed in the classroom,” Torlakson
says. “Every student needs a healthy breakfast to learn, grow, and stay active.” According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, as many as onethird of adolescents skip breakfast regularly, putting them at an academic disadvantage. Nutritionists say a wellbalanced breakfast includes proteinrich foods, fresh fruits, whole grains and low-fat or nonfat dairy like milk, which is high in calcium and vitamins. It also prevents young people from snacking on fatty, high-calorie snacks, which in the long run could curb the growing problem of childhood obesity. “Educators across the state have partnered with ‘Got Milk?’ to establish a fresh start this new school year,” says Steve James, executive director of the CMPB. “We want to inspire young people to help form healthy habits for life.” “Got Milk?” also challenges California teens ages 13 to 18 to participate in its “Got Milk?” Breakfast Billboard Photo Contest for an opportunity to win $1,000 and a chance for their work to be featured on a billboard for a month in their home town. From Aug. 22 to Oct. 14, 2011, teens may submit a photo illustrating why breakfast with milk is important for their health and academic performance. They may download an entry/release form, available at gotmilk.com, and submit it with their photo entry via the following: Email: contest@gotmilk.com (limit 8 MB) Mail: “Got Milk?” Breakfast Billboard Photo Contest c/o RL Public Relations 11835 W. Olympic Blvd., Suite 1155E Los Angeles, CA 90064 For more information on the “Got Milk?” breakfast challenge, billboard contest and contest rules, visit gotmilk.com. ß