Madison students used their creativity to promote healthy choices in their lives.

iARThealth, an art contest sponsored by HealthTeacher, gives students the opportunity to create illustrations about making healthy choices that lead to physical, emotional and social health (iarthealth.com).

Winners from Madison City Schools were Abigail McCauley, West Madison Elementary School, Judge’s Choice award; E.J. Robinson, Columbia Elementary School, Judge’s Choice Award; Brian Whittemore, Columbia, People’s Choice Award; and Rachel Patronas, Bob Jones High School for the senior division.

Each student received $500. Teachers received $250 for each of their winning students.

Students in the Huntsville area were eligible. Judging categories were divided into grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8 and high school, Wendy Tibbs said. Tibbs works as enrichment specialist at West Madison. To encourage votes, students published links to their art pages on social media.

Renee Graham, E.J. and Brian’s teacher at Columbia, said the judging was conducted in two parts: People’s Choice chosen by online voters and Judge’s Choice, in which community personalities chose top entries based on originality, artistic merit, communication of theme and message clarity.

“iARThealth offers teachers and parents a creative path for encouraging students to explore making healthy choices, being themselves and living healthy lives,” Tibbs said. “The company encourages lifelong health habits and personal responsibility in the classroom, at home and beyond.”

Holly Stephenson, associate marketing manager with HealthTeacher, visited West Madison to personally present the award to Abigail. “Abigail didn’t know about the presentation, but her mom did,” Tibbs said. Abigail’s artwork was inspired by Darth Vader from “Star Wars.”

HealthTeacher.com provides health resources for health educators and classroom teachers in grades K-12. Both health educators and health professionals developed the material with the goal of providing an easy to teach, comprehensive online resource.

To promote this goal, the iARThealth contest encourages creativity and innovation toward healthy living for students. HealthTeacher’s health education is free to teachers.

HeathTeacher’s motto is “Good Health is Contagious.” For more information, visit iarthealth.com.