Students illustrate metabolism to win contest

By Emily Ford

eford@salisburypost.com

KANNAPOLIS — More than 60 students found creative ways to depict human health and metabolism during the annual art contest hosted by the UNC Nutrition Research Institute at the N.C. Research Campus.

Miguel Angel Olivares Robledo, a senior at A. L. Brown High School, did it the best.

He won the grand prize for illustrating the theme, "What Revs Up Your Metabolism?" and took home cash and prizes worth more than $250.

Scientists at the Nutrition Research Institute are working to understand why people's metabolism and nutrition requirements differ and how that knowledge could help solve some of the world's greatest health problems, including diabetes, heart disease, cancer and stroke.

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is one of eight universities studying health and nutrition in Kannapolis.

Winning artwork will hang in the Nutrition Research Institute, where visiting researchers from across the globe will view the talents of students from area schools.

"The NRI is committed to engaging students on many levels, and this art contest is just another way for us to expose students to the research happening here," Director Dr. Steven Zeisel said when presenting the awards.

The contest encourages students to develop an interest in science, said Dr. Jim Martin, former North Carolina governor and chair of the UNC Nutrition Research Institute Board of Advisors.

"I really appreciate this partnership with local schools and look forward to seeing these students continue to become more directly involved in nutrition and science," Martin said in a statement.

Students from A. L. Brown High School, Jesse Carson High School, North Iredell High School, Concord Middle School, Forest Park Elementary School, Harrisburg Elementary School, Beverly Hills Elementary School, Mt. Ulla Elementary School and Beginning of Wisdom Home School participated.

Winners are:

- Kindergarten-4th grade

Penelli Yang of Harrisburg Elementary, Tali Hagler of Forest Park Elementary and Caroline Medlin Beverly Hills Elementary

- 5th-8th grade

Julianne Pomnitz, Meagan Stegall and Allie Link, all of Concord Middle

- 9th-12th grade

Itzel Mondragon Felipe of A. L. Brown High, Hunter Hammett of A. L. Brown High School and Janice Yang of North Iredell High School.

Every participant received a prize, and the top three winners in each age group won cash and gifts.