SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Six schools in the Yellowknife area have been awarded for this year's Drop the Pop – Strong Bones campaign put on by the GNWT.

Grade 3 student Shauna Colbourne of Weledeh Catholic School holds up two oranges as part of the Orange-you-glad day giving students a healthy alternative from eating junk food and drinking pop. - photo courtesy of Merril Dean

The purpose of the campaign was to encourage students and their families to make healthier beverage choices.

The schools awarded were Mildred Hall Elementary School, William McDonald School, Weledeh Catholic School, St. Patrick High School, St. Joseph's School and Kaw Tay Whee School in Dettah. Winners were chosen for uniqueness, innovation, creativity and collaboration with partners.

Weledeh Catholic School was awarded $2,000 for their involvement and has been part of the campaign since it started. The money will go toward playground activities and games.

Weledeh principal Merril Dean said since the school has started participating in 2005, Drop the Pop has evolved into a healthy food campaign.

This year the school made Drop the Pop a family affair with a Family Fair night. Over 200 families attended the event to learn about the benefits of milk and healthy eating, and participate in activities promoting health. The school also selected nutrition ambassadors to speak to other students.

"For many of our kids here food is the motivator," said Dean. "We want to provide kids the opportunity to be leaders."

For Grade 3 student Emma Seddon, health ambassador for her class said her school won simply "because we're good at making healthy choices."

Weledeh students presented a play about saving a king tooth from a cavity monster.

"It shows how bad it is to drink pop and how unhealthy it is for you and your teeth," said Houmisha Nunkoo, Grade 6 health ambassador, who drinks milk rather than pop.

Dean said the kindergarten children were amazed when the ambassadors told them Fruit Roll Ups aren't considered fruit.

Another school involved in the campaign was Kay Tay Whee School in Dettah which was awarded $500 for its involvement in the campaign.

"It's a good opportunity for our kids to take ownership," said Kay Tay Whee school principal Neil Penney.

"It provides kids with the knowledge to make the right choices."

With the money the students gained from the campaign, they hope to enhance their physical education program by having Bella Dance Academy teach hip hop dance.