If you’re in grades 1 – 6, we want YOU to create a poster with your best ideas for preparing for an earthquake in the Northwest. One student winner will be chosen in each grade and will receive a $50 gift certificate for their winning entry. Winning students’ classrooms will also receive a $200 contribution for supplies and preparedness items.

A Cascadia subduction zone earthquake is likely in Oregon’s future, so it is everyone’s best interest for people of all ages to know how to prepare. A poster contest allows students to show what they know in a creative way, while helping spread the word to family, friends and classmates.

The Earthquake Preparedness Poster Contest — “Don’t be a Square! Draw and Prepare” — is sponsored by the Oregon Red Cross and Oregon Public Health Emergency Preparedness.

Posters should be original artwork and no larger than 11″ x 17″. Entries should be labeled with the student’s name, age, grade, school, teacher’s name, school address, contact phone number for school, and contact email for the teacher. Posters should be mailed to Candy Cates, Oregon Public Health Emergency Preparedness Program, Portland State Office Building, 800 NE Oregon, Suite #465, Portland, OR 97232 and should be postmarked no later than March 18, 2011. Winners will be announced during Public Health Week, April 4-8, 2011. Winning posters will be on display in April — Oregon Earthquake & Tsunami Preparedness Month — at the Oregon Red Cross and at the Portland State Office Building in Portland.

Questions? Contact Candy.K.Cates@state.or.us. Learn how to prepare for earthquakes right here.