Maggie Moore is advocating skin protection and has won a state contest in the process.

In years past, Maggie Moore, at left, visits with cousin Emi and her grandfather, Jon Moore.

Moore, a student at Liberty Middle School, entered the Environmental Protection Agency’s state poster contest.

“We want the message out, particularly to teenage girls: Burning your skin now causes the cancer as an adult,” Moore said. “Starting with sunscreen and protection when you are older won’t prevent it. Childhood burns cause it.”

Now vying in national competition, Moore’s poster shows a girl having outdoor fun in all four seasons — wearing sunscreen for summer water recreation, throwing fall leaves with an UV-index bracelet, wearing sunglasses in winter and enjoying spring in the shade.

To vote, visit shadefoundation.org, type “shade” for the unlock code and “voting12” for the school code.

The subject is important to Moore because her grandfather died of skin cancer. “Maggie was very close to her Papa, Jon Moore,” Maggie’s mother Mollie Bounds said. “He was her only father figure for about eight years.”

As a teenager, Jon Moore was sunburned while working to pave Texas roads in summer. Moore then served 20 years as an U. S. Navy officer.

“He never wore sunscreen,” Bounds said. “I have many memories of my father burning severely in the sun” although he had dark complexion.

A mole on his neck was found malignant. For two years, “Maggie watched him deteriorate and live through excruciating pain as it began to grow around his spine and throughout his brain — a horrible way to die,” Bounds said.

Karate and art are main hobbies for Maggie. She also enjoys reading and playing guitar.

Bounds has taught at Columbia Elementary School for eight years. Maggie’s father is Kevin Bounds.

The national winner will be announced on May 2 and receive a shade structure for his or her school, a Disney World vacation and an award in Washington D.C.

Shade Foundation of America is a national 501(c)3 non-profit organization that educates children about sun safety.