The Arizona Diamondbacks have selected Rachel Parks, an 8th-grade student at Bogle Junior High School in Chandler, as this year’s “Be SunWise & Play Sun Smart” poster contest winner. 

Rachel and her teacher, Frank Hendricsen and their families were honored at the opening of the DBacks game against the San Diego Padres on May 27. They received on-field awards, met D. Baxter the Bobcat, and appeared on the team’s Jumbotron display in addition to enjoying the game. It was the first time Rachel attended a professional baseball game.

Rachel’s original artwork was chosen from among 5300 student entries across the state. Her red and black crayon drawing depicts the DBacks’ mascot demonstrating his sun safety strategies, like wearing a hat, using sunscreen, wearing sunglasses, covering skin with clothing, etc.

The Diamondbacks and ADHS have teamed up to sponsor this annual poster contest since 2003 to make sun safety a priority for all Arizonans. Arizona ranks No. 2 in the world in skin cancer incidence rates. The majority of a person’s lifetime sun exposure occurs before the age of 18, making childhood sun protection crucial for lowering skin cancer rates in our state.

For more information about the free ADHS SunWise Program including free K-8 school curriculum and resources, visit us at: www.azdhs.gov/phs/sunwise or call ADHS SunWise Program Manager Sharon McKenna at (602) 364-3143.