Supporting Our Community
2006 Children’s Dental Health Month
Winners of 2006 Children’s Dental Health Month
315-779-8080 Fax: 315-779-8085 • 140 Eastern Blvd., Watertown, NY 13601 • email: sunshinedental@nnymail.com
The 1st Annual Good Deeds Contest winners were honored on Thursday, December 14, 2006, during a reception at the practice. The contest was open to K-12 students, who exemplified a sense of purpose, a belief in what truly matters and a willingness to help others.
2006 “Good Deeds” Contest
The top prize winning “Good Deeds” youth, ranging in age from 9 to 17 from four school districts and home-schooled, are:
1st Place: Paul Francis Bracy, 10, Carthage, received a new Compaq Laptop Computer
2nd Place: Judy Hess, 17, Alexandria Bay, received a $250 Staples gift card
3rd Place: Ashley Zehr, 17, Belleville, received a Kodak digital camera
Honorable Mention: Alyson Lynch, 9, Theresa, received a $75 Staples gift card.
The students were honored for a variety of “good deeds,” such as volunteering at a nursing home and with Big Brothers/Big Sisters, the Dairy Ambassador Program and Special Olympics at Fort Drum; and for turning in a wallet with $181 found in a deserted school hallway, mentoring a disabled student, and cutting and donating long hair to someone without. The Contest also honored other entrants for their efforts to raise money for a local school playground project and for St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, and to help ill family members and new school students. Twenty dollar gift certificates to Border’s Books were given to Indian River senior Molly Papin and 8th grader Ashley Eager, 6-year-old Sherry M. Harmer of Antwerp, and 8-year-old Jonathan Campbell of Watertown, in recognition for their nominations.
Nominations were accepted from September 20 – November 17, 2006. For the purpose of this contest, “Good Deeds” submitted should have occurred between Sept. 1, 2004 and Sept. 20, 2006.
In September of 2004 Sunshine Dental, PC opened it’s doors in Watertown. Since then, the North Country has been more than receptive and supportive of our practice. We believe in giving back to the community, especially the youth of the community, and do so throughout the year.
2007 Children’s Dental Health Month
For the third year in a row, Dr. Aeklavya Panjali and the staff at Sunshine Dental, P.C. celebrated National Children’s Dental Health Month (February) with an essay and coloring contest for local school children (Grades K-5).The contests were held to recognize the importance of the month by providing educational opportunities for students to learn about good oral hygiene while having fun, being creative, and … having the added bonus of a chance to win U.S. savings bonds for the top finishers.
Each contestant was required to demonstrate how to have healthy teeth and gums through proper care and cleaning. Children grades K- 3 were eligible to enter the coloring contest and grades 4 - 5 entered the essay contest.
The theme for this year’s contest “Fighting tooth decay 24/7” involved a total of 1,357 students from 87 classrooms in 13 schools from Jefferson and Lewis County. Each contestant was asked to demonstrate how to maintain healthy teeth and gums 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Winners-
Coloring Contest:
1st place - Kayla Sova, 2nd Grade at Sackets Harbor Central.
2nd place - Samuel Benney, 2nd Grade at Knickerbocker Elementary
3rd place - Katherine Rockefeller, 3rd Grade at South Jefferson Wilson Elementary.
Hon. Mention - Brynne Lafave, 2nd Grade at Philadelphia Primary
1st place - Nate Greene, 4th Gradeurham’s class at South Jefferson Wilson Elementary
2nd place - Summer Patrick, 4th Grade at Copenhagen Central School
3rd place - Brady McDermott, 4th Grade at South Jefferson Wilson Elementary
Essay Contest:
The theme for the 2006 contest “A Healthy Smile Is Something To Cheer …” resulted in 78 local classes and a record 1,428 entries from 10 North Country elementary schools.
Schools that participated included: Antwerp Primary, Beaver River Central, Belleville-Henderson Elementary, Copenhagen Central, Knickerbocker Elementary, Lafargeville Central, Lowville Academy Elementary, Mannsville-Manor Elementary, St. Peter’s Catholic and Theresa Primary school.
2nd Annual Sunshine Dental “Good Deeds” Contest
For the second year, Dr. A. Panjali of Sunshine Dental, PC has conducted this contest to honor the youth of our area whose “Good Deeds” have occurred within the previous year. Often the “Good Deeds” are acts of kindness, helpfulness, generosity, forgiveness, humility, self control, or living and working hard in the world trying to make it a better place…without looking for recognition for their act. Nominations were accepted from September until November 16th.
After receiving the nominations, this year’s top three winners were chosen. The decision was made that all three would be named co-winners! At the December 11th reception, held at the Ramada Inn, the top three nominees were each presented with a new Computer System, and the remaining
1st Place Co-Winners
Eric Adsit nominated by: Advisor of the Student Peer Tutor Program Mrs. Marcia W. Flint
Eric is 16 and a Junior at Lowville Central School. Eric and his friend Nick were in the right place at the right time and took control of what could have been a deadly situation. When and gentleman lost his footing and fell into the Moose River Eric and Nick acted quickly, disregarding the danger they themselves could have been in. They were able to pull the gentleman from the river and get him safely to shore before he was swept away by the current of the river.
Nicholas Clemens nominated by: Advisor of the Student Peer Tutor Program Mrs. Marcia W. Flint
five received a Borders Gift Card. All nominees also received a certificate of appreciation for there Good Deed and thanked personally by Dr. Panjali and his staff. The students along with their families, those who nominated them, and the staff of Sunshine Dental, PC enjoyed refreshments of pizza and soda while at the reception.
Attending the reception were the 8 nominees and their families, along with their nominators, which included: Grandparents, a First Grade Teacher, a High School Teacher, a High School Principal, a Peer Tutor Program Coordinator, and the Executive Director of the Association for the Blind & Visually Impaired. Also, Jefferson County Legislator Jennie Adsit was on hand to say a few words and help present the winners with their awards.
Nominations for next years contest will be accepted starting in September of 2008
Additional nominees
Joseph Popiwny nominated by: Principal Mr. Ron Hochmuth
Joe is 16 years old; he is a Sophomore at Alexandria Central School where he is on the Honor Roll. He is the President of the Hearts for Youth Club; he always portrays a positive character while organizing and volunteering at all club events. He is a mentor for the younger members of the club. Joe also played a large roll in motivating the community and the building of a skateboard ramp.
Amber D. Beyer nominated by: her teacher Ms. Nadine M. O’Shaughnessy
Amber is 17 and a Senior at Copenhagen Central School. During the Spring of 2007 Amber organized a month long fund raising event at school for animals in a local animal shelter. She took on advertising and event planning, provided drop boxes to every home room and used her own funds to provide a pizza party and movie for the homeroom that collected the most items.
Heidi R.C. Hebert nominated by: her teacher Ms. Nadine M. O’Shaughnessy
Heidi is 17 years old and a Senior at Copenhagen Central School. Heidi is a very giving person. Last year at this time she was the Lewis County Dairy Princess, engaging in many charitable activities throughout the Holiday months. At the traditional Christmas Party, held by the princes for her court, Heidi directed the girls to purchase non-perishable food items for those in need rather than gifts to exchange among themselves.
Amelia L. Renaud nominated by her grandparents Vincent J. & Mona L. Paragon
Amelia is 15 years old; she is a Sophomore at Carthage Central High School and on the High Honor Roll. She collected can tabs so a young girl could receive Chemotherapy treatments. Each can tab collected gave 1 minute of Chemotherapy. Amelia collected 175,852 tabs, the girl was able to finish her treatment, share with others and the remainder was given to the Ronald McDonald House; she continues to collect the can tabs.
Megan Walseman nominated by: her teacher Ms. Barb Bradish
Megan is 6 years old and in the 1st Grade at Beaver River Elementary. Megan has been blessed with very fast growing hair and has been able to donate her hair twice to the “Locks of Love” program. Her first donation was in July of 2006 and the second in July 2007
Nick is 17 and a Senior at Lowville Central School, he is also the friend of Eric who helped to rescue the gentleman from the Moose River. Nick and Eric are on the Lowville Swim team together and each of the boys credits the other for their effort in saving this mans life.
Nikki Marshall nominated by: the Executive Director for the Association of the Blind & Visually Impaired of Jefferson County Mrs. Nanette Pullus.
Nikki’s is 11 years old and in the 6th grade at Indian River Middle School. She is a very thoughtful young lady who gave up her birthday to help the Association for the Blind & Visually Impaired of Jefferson County. Rather than having a party and receiving gifts for her birthday Nikki asked anyone who would be celebrating or attending her birthday to make monetary a donation the Association for the Blind & Visually Impaired instead. Donations totaling $200.00 were received at Nikki’s request.
Winners of 2007 Good Deeds Contest
The Month of February Celebrated National Children’s Dental Health Month. Once again Dr. Panjali and the staff at Sunshine Dental, P.C. helped your students celebrate and learn the importance of good oral hygiene. Sunshine Dental joined with the American Dental Association in celebrating National Children’s Dental Health Month, by sponsoring two area-wide contests, with this year’s theme: “Attack Plaque.”
The contest was for students in grades K-5: An Essay Contest for grades 4-5, and a Coloring Contest for grades K-3. The goal of the contest was to help promote a healthy lifestyle through proper care and cleaning of teeth and gums. All students received a certificate for their participation. The top three students from every school (in each contest) received a special prize and were entered into the area-wide contest. Of those entered in the area-wide contest three were chosen from each category to receive our Grand Prize Awards of U.S. Savings Bonds.
4th Annual Children’s Dental Health Month Contest
We were thrilled to have 14 schools from Jefferson and Lewis counties participate; totaling an amazing 90 classes and 1,397 students participate in the contest…drawing attention to the importance of proper care and cleaning of teeth and gums.
This year’s winners are:
Coloring Contest
1st Place ($100 Savings Bond):
Patrick Gardner
3rd Grade, Mrs. Crast
Mannsville-Manor Elementary
2nd Place ($75 Savings Bond):
Jasmine Montano
1st Grade, Mrs. Walentuk
Theresa Primary
3rd Place ($50 Savings Bond):
McKenna Mahoney
Kindergarten, Mrs. Reed
Beaver River Elementary
Essay Contest
Noah Landers
5th Grade, Mrs. Gosling
Carthage Augustinian Academy
1st Place ($100 Savings Bond):
2nd Place ($75 Savings Bond):
3rd Place ($50 Savings Bond):
Cecil Ash
5th Grade, Mrs. Jones
Immaculate Heart Intermediate
Jasmeet Aujla
5th Grade, Mrs. Jones
Immaculate Heart Intermediate
Thank you to everyone for their participation. We look forward to seeing the student entries again next year as we celebrate Children’s Dental Health Month - February 2009.
2008 Children’s Dental Health Month Winners with Sunshine Dental Staff