Winners announced for Baker County’s “Say No to Vaping Poster Contest”

BAKER COUNTY – (Release from the Baker County Health Department) It was a tough competition this year, but the Baker County Health Department is pleased to announce the winners of the 3^rd annual “Say No to Vaping” Poster Contest.

The poster contest for Baker County’s 5^th and 6^th grade students opened November 20, 2025 to celebrate the Great American Smokeout and closed January 9, 2026.  Sponsored by the county’s Tobacco Prevention and Education Program, the goal of the contest is for 5^th and 6^th grade students to have the opportunity to learn about and educate others on the many harms of vaping, while also promoting the Oregon State Tobacco Quitline. While cigarette smoking rates among youth and young adults have gone down in recent years, there has been a concerning rise in the use of vapes (or e-cigarettes) and other emerging tobacco and nicotine products among this age group.

This year’s contest featured four categories for students to compete in, including vaping’s effects on physical health, mental health, social and marketing pressures, and environmental impacts.  For the first time, students were allowed to enter more than one poster if they chose.  First, second, and third place winners were selected for each category, and the four first place winners competed for the Grand Prize.

Posters were judged on creativity, effectiveness of message, and overall design by health department staff members.  The first, second, and third place winners in each category received an individual gift card as a prize for their hard work and creativity.  The grand prize winner also received an additional $500 for their class.  The students’ artwork will be the featured exhibit at the Churchill School Art Gallery in Baker City during the month of March, with the First Friday opening on March 6, 2026.

Congratulations to all our winners and thank you to all the students who participated this year!

Mental Health

1^st– Finley McQuisten, South Baker Intermediate

2^nd– Brynn Berry, South Baker Intermediate

3^rd– Asher Rainwater, South Baker Intermediate

Physical Health

1^st – Joseph Murphy, Haines Elementary

2^nd– Esperanza Morales, South Baker Intermediate

3^rd– Kingston Baxter, South Baker Intermediate

Environmental Impact

1^st– Hazell Crowell, South Baker Intermediate

2^nd– Maddison Long, South Baker Intermediate

3^rd– Lilly Crum, South Baker Intermediate

Social Pressures

1^st– Andrew Kendall, South Baker Intermediate

2^nd– Henry Bazar, South Baker Intermediate

3^rd– Finley Smith, South Baker Intermediate

Baker County’s Grand Prize Winner

Finley McQuisten, 6^th grade 

South Baker Intermediate, Cynthia Stevens’ Class

---

---

• 
• 
• 
• 

---

• 
• 

---

Elkhorn Media Group