Florida’s Children Learning The Importance Of Sun Protection

April 19, 2010 - PRLog -- Students at six elementary schools across Florida will soon be playing in the shade, courtesy of the Florida Society of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery (FSDDS). As a way to teach children about the importance of sun safety, the FSDDS recently announced the winners of its third annual Florida Sun Defense Essay contest. Schools of the winning students will receive a sun shade structure for their playgrounds.

Within the essay, students were asked to address why sun protection is important and why their school should be awarded a shade structure. Mikayla Nemetz, a fifth-grade student at Cape Elementary School in Cape Coral, won the grand prize with an essay titled, “Sun Solutions.”

In her essay, Mikayla states, “Something that brings us so many healthy and beautiful things is also a very harmful thing when you don’t realize how truly powerful it is!”

She goes on to detail how beneficial a sun shade would be for her school, “Not only is a sun shade structure needed for prevention from these skin hazards caused by the sun, but also to have an escape from the scorching heat a hot Florida day can bring. Not only do those UV rays give off light, but they generate quite a bit of heat! Let’s face it. Living in paradise has its disadvantages!”

Board member and board-certified dermatologist Dr. Kristin Smallwood spearheads the contest for the FSDDS, and applauds the nearly 100 elementary schools from across the state that participated.

“Our goal with the contest is certainly to provide playground sun shades, but more importantly, to educate and instill the importance of sun protection at a young age,” said Dr. Smallwood. “We were so impressed by the quality of essays this year that we decided to award six sun shades rather than five.”

Mikayla, along with her parents and teacher, Jenine Brulliea, also will be awarded a trip to the FSDDS conference in Naples next month, where she will read her winning essay to the society’s membership.

The five runners-up who also won sun shades for their schools include Hannah Batten of Oriole Beach Elementary in Gulf Breeze, Sydney Scanlon of Coral Gables Elementary in Coral Gables, Sophie Lamarcne of Bay Meadows Elementary in Orlando, Alicia Hurley of SeaWind Elementary in Hobe sound, and Maia Billman of Bay Elementary School in Santa Rosa Beach.

“Skin cancer is one of the most preventable diseases,” said Dr. Smallwood. “Sunburns incurred as a child are directly responsible for skin cancers we see in adults — even those in their late teens and early 20s.”

All six of this year’s winning essays are posted at www.fsdds.org, along with essays from previous years and additional information about sun protection and skin cancer.
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Here is the winning essay written by Mikayla Nemetz:

SUN SOLUTIONS
Sun Defense! What an odd pairing of words! Why would you think you would have to defend yourself from the sun? Something that brings us so many healthy and beautiful things is also a very harmful thing when you don't realize how truly powerful it is!

When I was given the opportunity to learn about the importance of sun safety and to possibly bring a much needed shade structure to my school, Cape Elementary, I couldn't resist! What I didn't realize is how much I really didn't know about the damage the sun can cause. This is when I began to understand the importance of the shade structures being offered to elementary schools around Florida-the Sunshine State!! !

It comes to mind that children from elementary school through middle school are most at risk for developing a life threatening skin cancer called malignant melanoma. Not only are they at risk for this condition, but for so many other skin conditions that can be caused by the sun. These types of skin cancers come from extended amounts of time in the damaging UV rays the sun shines on us every day. The time when these rays are the strongest just happens to be when children are in school, 10 o'clock am through 2 o'clock pm. Prolonged play outside for recess, lunch, or Physical Education can cause sunburns quite easily when the right precautions aren't taken. While there may be a tree or two on the school campus to hide under from these harmful rays, what a wonderful addition to Cape Elementary to have a place where all students could go when outside to escape not only these harmful rays but to find a cooler place to play games, read a book, or anything else
that gives them a little time to relax and be a kid! Not only is a shade structure needed for prevention from these skin hazards caused by the sun, but also to have an escape from the scorching heat a hot Florida day can bring. Not only do those UV rays give off light, but they generate quite a bit of heat! Let's face it. Living in paradise has its disadvantages!

As important as it is to have a shaded area to spend your time in, one very important thing 'learned to help prevent sunburns, skin cancers, and other effects from the sun is-sunscreen! Sun or shade, when outside, use sunscreen. 'am proud to say this is a lesson' have been taught very early by my parents and will continue to obey!

I guess what I have learned the most is that a little prevention goes a long way! 'know that if the Florida Society of Dermatology and Dermatological Surgery (FSDDS),was to generously award Cape Elementary the fantastic gift of a shade structure, , would be thrilled, not only because the current students of Cape Elementary would get to enjoy it but many students for years to come!

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The mission of the Florida Society of Dermatology and Dermatologic Services is to serve as an advocate for Florida dermatologists and their patients to promote excellence in dermatologic care, ensure the highest standards for dermatologic practice and medical education, and to enhance the quality and availability of dermatologic health care to all Floridians.