On Thursday, September 4, 2025, the Wyandotte County Public Health Department (WyCo PHD) hosted an event honoring the winners of the 2025 Healthy Choices, Healthy Communities Art Contest.

During the event, staff from WyCo PHD and the Kansas City, Kansas Public Library (KCKPL) presented the artists with their prizes, and event guests saw all the 13 pieces of winning artwork on display. The Grand Prize winner received a $300 Mastercard gift card, and twelve other winners each received a $100 Mastercard gift card. Prizes were sponsored by KCKPL. Terrie Garrison, WyCo PHD Interim Director, gave brief remarks honoring the winners. During her remarks, Garrison noted that this was the first year of a health department art contest, and WyCo PHD hopes to hold art contests again in the future.

WyCo PHD launched the health-themed art contest on July 1, 2025, in partnership with KCKPL and the Bonner Springs City Library, aiming to engage community members and raise awareness about health topics and essential health services. Community members had the chance to vote on their favorite artwork among 24 finalists at the August 2025 Third Friday Art Walk event. The art contest project was supported by a grant from the Network of the National Library of Medicine.*

Artwork will be featured in a 2026 WyCo PHD calendar. Winners will receive copies of the calendar, and it will be distributed through the WyCo PHD clinic and other WyCo PHD programs. The Grand Prize-winning artwork will be featured on the cover, and the other artwork will be featured for the months. A panel of health department staff helped determine which pieces of art will be featured in which months of the calendar to align with health observances and themes throughout the year (for example, featuring a mental health themed piece of art in May during Mental Health Awareness Month).

* The project is supported in part by the Network of the National Library of Medicine. The contents are those of the author and may not reflect the policies of NNLM, NIH, or the U.S. Government.

Meet the Winners:

• Stacy Haworth, "Iconic Fruitprint" (Grand Prize winner, to be featured on the cover of the calendar)
• Nancy S. Calkins, "A Rosier Life: The Health Benefits of Senior Fellowship" (to be featured in the calendar in January)
• Eve Herr, "AID (Acceptance, Inclusivity, Diversity)" (to be featured in the calendar in February)
• Charles Hower, "A Balanced Diet" (to be featured in the calendar in March)
• Shelby Brown, "The Need to Breathe" (to be featured in the calendar in April)
• Tamaya Patrick, "Mental Wellness" (to be featured in the calendar in May)
• Juan Medrano, "Zumba Hour" (to be featured in the calendar in June)
• Jaxsun Knight, "Promote Healthy Habits & Prevention" (to be featured in the calendar in July)
• Shireen Sadeghi, "A Wish for Two" (to be featured in the calendar in August)
• Shaily Galeana, "Bright Sunset, Brighter Mindset" (to be featured in the calendar in September)
• Rachel Eilts, "Savoring a Steamy Story" (to be featured in the calendar in October)
• Mireya Melendez, "Smoking is Bad" (to be featured in the calendar in November)
• Jacob Braun, "Clean Racoon" (to be featured in the calendar in December)

Photo Gallery:

Grand Prize Winner: Stacy Haworth (cover art for 2026 calendar)

Pictured: Terrie Garrison, Interim Director of the Wyandotte County Public Health Department (left) and Laura Hunt, Director of Public Libraries with the Kansas City, Kansas Public Library (middle), present a certificate and gift card to art contest Grand Prize winner Stacy Haworth (right).

"Iconic Fruitprint" - By Stacy Haworth

To be featured on the cover of the 2026 Wyandotte County Public Health Department Calendar

Description from the artist: In this whimsical, surrealist watercolor painting, massive, brightly painted fruit looms large with familiar landmarks of Wyandotte County!

Health Theme: Nutrition and Healthy Eating
Artist Age Group: Adult

Winner: Nancy S. Calkins (January calendar art)

Pictured: Terrie Garrison, Interim Director of the Wyandotte County Public Health Department (left) and Laura Hunt, Director of Public Libraries with the Kansas City, Kansas Public Library (middle), present a certificate and gift card to art contest winner Nancy S. Calkins (right).

"A Rosier Life: The Health Benefits of Senior Fellowship" - By Nancy S. Calkins

To be featured in the 2026 Wyandotte County Public Health Department Calendar in January

Description from the artist: A social environment for seniors is vital. Activities coordinated by the Wyandotte/Leavenworth Area Agency on Aging and other groups makes life "rosier!"

Health Themes: Mental Health & Wellbeing - Socializing is crucial for the elderly, influencing disease outcomes, mortality rates, and overall quality of life. Recognized as a key element of age-friendly cities, social participation among older adults is emphasized by the World Health Organization as vital for addressing the mental and physical challenges of an aging population

Artist Age Group: Adult

Winner: Eve Herr (February calendar art)

Pictured: Pictured: Terrie Garrison, Interim Director of the Wyandotte County Public Health Department (left) and Laura Hunt, Director of Public Libraries with the Kansas City, Kansas Public Library (middle), present a certificate and gift card to art contest winner Eve Herr (right).

"AID (Acceptance, Inclusivity, Diversity)" - By Eve Herr

To be featured in the 2026 Wyandotte County Public Health Department Calendar in February

Description from the artist: Map of WyCo, top 10 predominant POC groups who reside in WyCo (migrationpolicy.org)

Health Themes: Acceptance is Healthcare! Diversity in the healthcare system is important, whether it is represented through employees or patients. Acceptance and understanding allows patients to receive the care that they need in the right way.

Artist Age Group: Adult

Winner: Charles Hower (March calendar art)

Pictured: Terrie Garrison, Interim Director of the Wyandotte County Public Health Department (left) and Laura Hunt, Director of Public Libraries with the Kansas City, Kansas Public Library (middle), present a certificate and gift card to art contest winner Charles Hower (right).

"A Balanced Diet" - By Charles Hower

To be featured in the 2026 Wyandotte County Public Health Department Calendar in March

Description from the artist: Various food forms a pyramid, supporting and connecting to each other to show all food is good if kept in balance.

Health Theme: Nutrition and Healthy Eating
Artist Age Group: Adult

Winner: Shelby Brown (April calendar art)

Shelby was unable to attend the awards event and will receive the contest prize at a later date.

"The Need to Breathe" - By Shelby Brown

To be featured in the 2026 Wyandotte County Public Health Department Calendar in April

Description from the artist: I have made a digital art to represent environmental pollution. Since I have asthma, I know the effects that pollution can have.

Health Theme: Environmental/Air Pollution Awareness!
Artist Age Group: Adult

Winner: Tamaya Patrick (May calendar art)

Pictured: Terrie Garrison, Interim Director of the Wyandotte County Public Health Department (left) and Laura Hunt, Director of Public Libraries with the Kansas City, Kansas Public Library (middle), present a certificate and gift card to art contest winner Tamaya Patrick (right).

"Mental Wellness" - By Tamaya Patrick

To be featured in the 2026 Wyandotte County Public Health Department Calendar in May

Description from the artist: In this piece of artwork it showcases some ways to have a clear mind with techniques and coping skills. These techniques include meditating, stretching/exercise, deep breathing, journaling, healthy sleep habits, and socializing.

Health Theme: Mental health and wellbeing
Artist Age Group: Youth

Winner: Juan Medrano (June calendar art)

Pictured: Terrie Garrison, Interim Director of the Wyandotte County Public Health Department (left) and Laura Hunt, Director of Public Libraries with the Kansas City, Kansas Public Library (middle), present a certificate and gift card to art contest winner Juan Medrano (right).

"Zumba Hour" - By Juan Medrano

To be featured in the 2026 Wyandotte County Public Health Department Calendar in June

Description from the artist: Whether you're young or wise, it's Zumba time! Move your body side to side; you have to move constantly if you want to have mobility!

Health Theme: Physical Activity and Exercise
Artist Age Group: Adult

Winner: Jaxsun Knight (July calendar art)

Pictured: Terrie Garrison, Interim Director of the Wyandotte County Public Health Department (left) and Laura Hunt, Director of Public Libraries with the Kansas City, Kansas Public Library (center left), present a certificate and gift card to art contest winner Jaxsun Knight (center right), accompanied by Bonner Springs Mayor Tom Stephens (right).

"Promote Healthy Habits & Prevention" - By Jaxsun Knight

To be featured in the 2026 Wyandotte County Public Health Department Calendar in July

Health Themes: Mental Well-being, Healthy eating, Disease prevention, Environmental Health

Artist Age Group: Youth

Winner: Shireen Sadeghi (August calendar art)

Shireen was unable to attend the awards event and will receive the contest prize at a later date.

"A Wish for Two" - By Shireen Sadeghi

To be featured in the 2026 Wyandotte County Public Health Department Calendar in August

Description from the artist: Although I've never experienced it myself, I wanted to convey motherhood and what it means to put your child before yourself

Health Theme: Healthy mothers, healthy babies
Artist Age Group: Youth

Winner: Shaily Galeana (September calendar art)

Pictured: Terrie Garrison, Interim Director of the Wyandotte County Public Health Department (right) and Laura Hunt, Director of Public Libraries with the Kansas City, Kansas Public Library (middle), present a certificate and gift card to art contest winner Shaily Galeana (left).

"Bright Sunset, Brighter Mindset" - By Shaily Galeana

To be featured in the 2026 Wyandotte County Public Health Department Calendar in September

Description from the artist: A brain shaped as a heart to show that, just like a heart, your brain needs to be healthy. A "sunset" of positive thoughts was inspired by a brainstorm.

Health Theme: Mental health and wellbeing
Artist Age Group: Youth

Winner: Rachel Eilts (October calendar art)

Rachel was unable to attend the awards event and will receive the contest prize at a later date.

"Savoring a Steamy Story" - By Rachel Eilts

To be featured in the 2026 Wyandotte County Public Health Department Calendar in October

Description from the artist: A steamy story rises from the bowl, painting the air with tempting tendrils telling the aromatic tale of creation. It's a joyful journey of discovery, hunting and harvesting hidden treasures in humid habitats and gathering little tasty gems growing in a garden. Fresh crops from farm fields powered by the sun invite savory enjoyment, adventure in every bite.

Health Theme: Nutrition
Artist Age Group: Adult

Winner: Mireya Melendez (November calendar art)

Pictured: Terrie Garrison, Interim Director of the Wyandotte County Public Health Department (right) and Laura Hunt, Director of Public Libraries with the Kansas City, Kansas Public Library (middle), present a certificate and gift card to art contest winner Mireya Melendez (left).

"Smoking is Bad" - By Mireya Melendez

To be featured in the 2026 Wyandotte County Public Health Department Calendar in November

Description from the artist: No Smoking

Health Theme: Smoking cessation and tobacco prevention

Artist Age Group: Youth

Winner: Jacob Braun (December calendar art)

Pictured: Terrie Garrison, Interim Director of the Wyandotte County Public Health Department (right) and Laura Hunt, Director of Public Libraries with the Kansas City, Kansas Public Library (middle), present a certificate and gift card to art contest winner Jacob Braun (left).

"Clean Racoon" - By Jacob Braun

To be featured in the 2026 Wyandotte County Public Health Department Calendar in December

Health Themes: Hygiene & Infection Prevention, preventing the spread of germs

Artist Age Group: Adult

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