A garden positively addresses six of the eight contributing factors to obesity identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Gardening helps people learn about making better food choices, encourages physical activity and leads to healthier environments at home and in the community. In efforts to promote and encourage 4-H’ers to make healthier food choices, St. John 4-H held a Cabbage Growing Contest. More than 40 students from around the parish received Bonnie Cabbages near the end of October 2011. The cabbages were harvested and submitted to the 4-H Office for judging.  

Winners were as follows:

First place — Michael Laborde of Riverside Academy

Second place — Ke’Ira Frank of West St. John Elementary

Second place — Blake Luna of Ascension of Our Lord

Honorable mention — Arielle Tillery of Ascension of Our Lord

Participants included:

Amari Bernard – Garyville Magnet

Roddyell Nevers – Garyville Magnet

Taylor Rivera – Ascension of Our Lord

Korey Frank – West St. John Elementary

Angelica Carter – Garyville Magnet

Amaya Dennis – Garyville Magnet

Jamarious Eugene – Garyville Magnet

Jaden Whitlock – Garyville Magnet

Hailey Hilbun – Ascension of Our Lord

Jamai Snyder – Garyville Magnet

Destiny Romious – Ascension of Our Lord

Cody Pellissier – Riverside Academy

Corrin Drexel – Ascension of Our Lord

Timothy Williams – Emily C. Watkins

Quincy Williams – John L. Ory

Hoa Nguyen – Emily C. Watkins

Douglas Gilchrist – John L. Ory

Cassie Remondet – St. Peter

Danielle Louque – St. Peter

Robin Torres – St. Peter