A Fun and Exciting Activity for Kids

The NC Tar Wars Poster Contest

NC Tars Wars conducts a poster contest each academic year. All fourth- and fifth- grade students who have participated in the classroom presentation are eligible to create posters. Each school can submit their top three posters as entries in the state poster competition. Once the deadline has passed, a panel of judges reviews all submissions from across the state. The top three state posters are selected and each of the three creators receives additional prizes. The winning poster represents the state at the National Tar Wars Poster Contest.

(Above: 2007 NC State Poster Contest 1st Place)

Posters are judged on their creativity, artistry, originality and their ability to communicate a clear and positive message about remaining tobacco-free.

Congratulations to Emily Osborne, a student at Sparta School in Sparta, NC.  Emily's poster received fourth place at the Tar Wars National Poster Contest held in Washington, DC.  Her poster took first place in the statewide contest.

The runners-up for the 2007 North Carolina Poster Contest were Leah Zeng, of Butler Avenue School in Clinton and Lyndsay Peterson, of Burnsville Elementary in Burnsville.  

(Above: Emily Osborne will Senator Elizabeth Dole.)

Below outlines the Tar Wars Poster Contest rules and guidelines.

Judging Criteria

All posters will become the property of the North Carolina Academy of Family Physicians. The winning state poster becomes the property of the American Academy of Family Physicians. Posters will not be returned.

Posters will be judged based on their artistry, creativity, originality, and their ability to communicate a clear and positive message to remain tobacco- free.

Contest Guidelines

The following guidelines have been set by the AAFP National Tar Wars office and are applicable to the NCAFP Tar Wars poster contest.

• Only fourth- and fifth-grade students are eligible to submit posters.
• Students' artwork must be original. Avoid ideas such as cartoon characters, movie themes, or past poster winners.
• Posters must emphasize the positive aspects of being tobacco-free (no death themes)
• Students may not work in pairs.
• Posters larger than standard poster board size (22" x 28") will not be accepted.
• Students may use a variety of media, including watercolor, pen and ink, crayon, chalk, markers, etc. No computer-drawn and/or clip art will be accepted.
• Posters should not be laminated or mounted on mat board.  Also, do not staple, glue, or tape entry forms to the backs of posters.
• Ask students to refrain from writing their name or other identifying information on the front of their poster.

Poster Contest Forms