The contest is open to all 7th grade students in West Virginia. WVDA wants to learn from the unique point of view of middle school and home schooled students on their beliefs regarding the cause of our serious overweight quandary. In addition, the WVDA hopes to glean from the essays how West Virginia seventh grade students believe the problem would be best addressed.

The winners will be chosen from all 7th grade students across West Virginia divided into four geographic districts (North East, North West, South East and South West). First, second and third place essay contest winners will be selected from each district. Each of the four first place winners will be awarded $1000 savings bonds, second place $500 savings bonds and the third place $200 savings bonds

The contest began January 1, 2009 and the deadline for entries will be March 15, 2009 with the essays received at the WVDA web site, http://www.eatrightwv.org, no later than 11:59 p.m. on this day. Winners will be notified in writing by the WVDA.