The Shapiro administration recently recognized 27 students who submitted entries to the 2025 “Protect. Check. Remove.” Lyme Disease Student Art Competition that promotes awareness of the prevalence of ticks and encourages people to take simple steps before safely enjoying the great outdoors.

The event included leaders from the departments of Health, Conservation and Natural Resources, and Environmental Protection.

“The contest is part of the Shapiro administration’s commitment to promoting healthy behaviors and preventing diseases. It’s a creative opportunity for students and their families to learn how to prevent tick bites and Lyme disease,” said Department of Health special adviser Dr. Robert Bonacci. “Spending time outdoors and enjoying nature is one of the best ways to stay healthy and have fun, and knowing how to do so safely is important.”

In addition to the art contest, and to better inform Pennsylvanians about tickborne diseases, the Department of Health provides an online dashboard so the public can see where tickborne diseases are prevalent, providing information so Pennsylvanians can take appropriate precautions while enjoying outdoor activities.

The Lyme Disease Student Art Competition is an educational initiative that teaches children about where ticks are found, how to prevent tick bites and the symptoms of Lyme disease.

More than 230 students in first through sixth grades across the commonwealth submitted posters and videos to the Department of Health in March.

The winning artwork will serve as a testament to the creativity of Pennsylvania’s students and will be on display in the State Capitol in the East Wing outside the Senate fountain area through the end of May.

“Pennsylvania’s great outdoors are some of the greatest in the nation, and we want to encourage people to get out and enjoy them while being smart when it comes to protecting yourself from ticks and Lyme disease,” said DEP Policy Director High Garst. “DEP’s Tick Surveillance program helps monitor tick populations throughout the commonwealth, and we’re so happy to celebrate all of the winners of this year’s Lyme Disease Awareness Student Art Competition to raise awareness of how to protect yourself and your family from ticks and tickborne illnesses.”

“DCNR recognizes that getting outside can come with risks including exposure to ticks and Lyme disease and we understand that the best way to promote safe outdoor recreation is through education and personal protective equipment,” said DCNR Executive Policy Specialist Ali Bowling. “Raising awareness through this competition is a fun and creative way to engage all Pennsylvanians, especially our younger generations about this important public health issue. Thank you to the participants and partners for promoting Lyme disease awareness.”

A total of 12 posters and six video submissions were selected.

Local winners include Micah McGrath, Abby Guth and Lydia Zink for a video submission.

Pennsylvania typically ranks in the top 10 in the country for Lyme disease cases per 100,000 residents.

Most cases of Lyme disease can be treated successfully with a short course of antibiotics.

However, if the infection is left untreated, it can spread to joints, the heart, and the nervous system.

Ticks are found in urban and rural settings, usually in shrubs, weeds, leaf litter, and tall grasses, but they can be found anywhere there is foliage.

So, taking the proper steps to decrease the chances of getting bitten is important.