News Releases for December 2002
December 13, 2002
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Hoeven Names Finalists In Family Day Essay Contest
BISMARCK, N.D. - Gov. John Hoeven today announced the ten finalists in the “Family Day - A Day to Eat Dinner With Your Children” student essay contest. More than 1,500 students, kindergarten through sixth grade, statewide participated in writing about the importance of spending time with family at the dinner table.
“We value family and we value education in North Dakota,” Hoeven said. “This essay project drove home the importance of both family and education. Everyone who took the time to submit an essay is a winner.”
North Dakota is one of 35 states that participated in a national effort to encourage family dinners as a way to promote family unity. Studies by the Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University show that family time may help prevent teen substance abuse.
“Studies indicate that children who eat dinner with their family on a regular basis are less likely to become involved with drugs or alcohol,” said First Lady Mikey L. Hoeven. “This project is a great opportunity to reinforce our efforts in North Dakota to curb underage drinking.”
The ten finalists include:
- Tanner Aasen, a third grader at Mohall School
- Tia Davis, a fourth grader at Carrington Elementary School
- Megan Girodat, a sixth grader at Milnor School
- Carolyn Griffith, a fifth grader at New Testament Baptist School in Larimore
- Erik Hobbs, a sixth grader at Jim Hill Middle School in Minot
- Karly Ironshield, a fifth grader at Central Middle School in Devils Lake
- Sean Lengenfelder, a sixth grader at Apple Creek Elementary School in Bismarck
- Jon Pavlicek, a sixth grader at Linton Public School
- Lindsey Sand, a sixth grader at Steele-Dawson Public School
- Alexandra Vecchia, a fourth grader at Cathedral School in Bismarck
The ten finalists will attend a Governor's award ceremony on December 30 at 1 p.m. in the Memorial Hall of the State Capitol. Families, friends and educators have also been invited. The winning essay will be announced, and the winner will celebrate a family dinner with the First Family at the Governor's Residence.
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