Poison council honors artwork by Lee, Coe

Raquel Spiegel, art teacher at Discovery Middle School, congratulates Aaliyah Coe, third-place winner in the poison prevention council’s national art contest. Another Discovery student, Victoria Lee, won first place. CONTRIBUTED

MADISON – Student artists at Discovery Middle School earned national recognition in an art contest to promote safety on a gravely serious subject.

Victoria Lee in first place and Aaliyah Coe as third-place presenter received praise from their artwork for a poster contest advertising National Poison Prevention Week. Students from across the United States in grades six through eight were eligible to enter this contest sponsored by the National Poison Control Week Council.

The contest theme was “Children Act Fast – So Do Poisons.” National Poison Prevention Week will be observed on March 19-25, 2017.

Lee’s artwork shows a mother busily preoccupied at her desk while she types on her laptop. Out of her eyesight, her young son explores a supply shelf with containers of bleach, household cleaner and insect spray.

For her contest entry, Coe created a drawing of a young girl with an inquisitive look on her face. The girl is picking up packs of candy and a bottle of prescription drugs that was left sitting nearby. The poison council will feature Coe’s artwork on their website and in promotions across social media to a national audience.

“I am so proud of my students. They always focus on doing their best and it shows,” Spiegel said. “My students also gained knowledge in poison prevention, and they are helping promote the poison prevention program.”

“By March 2017, the posters will be featured in schools, doctors’ offices, human resources departments, military bases, day care centers, community centers and countless other places across the nation,” Krista Osterhaler said. She serves as council chair and is Director of National Outreach for the American Association of Poison Control Centers.

“Congratulations on creating such beautiful posters that will help to teach others about poison safety,” Osterhaler said.

In case of a poison emergency, individuals can call the poison help line at 1-800-222-1222.