By Jackie Ayres
Alisa Boyce-James, a fourth-grader at Crescent Elementary School in Beckley, was one of four national winners of the School Nutrition Association’s All-Star School Lunch contest.
Other winners hailed from South Carolina, Delaware and Alabama.
Boyce-James was presented a certificate, along with an NBA prize package, including an autographed basketball and photograph of Orlando Magic basketball player Dwight Howard, for her winning essay “The Yum Squad” at a school assembly Thursday.
The SNA says it evaluated hundreds of essays submitted from students across the country as part of this year’s basketball-themed National School Lunch Week.
Each submission included an idea for healthy lunch menu or “all-star lunch team,” and an essay explaining why their team is healthy.
Boyce-James chose a chef salad, orange wedges, kiwi and white milk for her menu.
“I was trying to think of something original,” Boyce-James said.
“I named it the Yum-Yum Squad because it all tastes good,” she said of the foods she selected for her menu.
“This is the first contest I ever won. I think it’s pretty cool that I’m one of four people in the whole United States. That’s just so cool,” she said.
Teacher Angie Austin said Boyce-James is a very creative student.
“She loves to do well in school. She has a passion for reading and writing,” Austin said.
After receiving her NBA prize package Thursday, Boyce-James was bubbling with excitement.
“Everybody wants to be my friend now,” she said excitedly.
Boyce-James says she hopes to be a veterinarian or zoologist when she grows up.
— E-mail: jayres@register-herald.com
