Washington Poison Center declares Aarav Pillay winner of Poster Contest

Aarav Pillay, a 6^th-grade Indian-origin student at Kent Laboratory Academy in Kent, Washington won the 17th annual Poison Prevention Poster Contest organized by the Washington Poison Center.

Pillay's poster was selected among seventy submissions from Washington students in kindergarten through 6th grade. The poster competition was aimed at spreading awareness of how Mr Yuk, a trademarked image used to label poisonous substances, and the Washington Poison Center keep everyone safe from harmful substances.

Praising Pillay's creative craft work, suicide and injury prevention program manager at Seattle Children's, Isabell Sakamoto said, "Aarav did a wonderful job showing us many of the places where Mr Yuk is stuck!" We thank Aarav for sharing his wisdom and creativity, and the Washington Poison Center for being an incredible resource for the community!"

"We see that poisonous substances come in many forms and could be all around the home and places we visit throughout the community,” she added.

On Pillay’s success, Washington Poison Center congratulated him and tweeted, “Congrats to Aarav Pillay, a 6th grader in Kent, for winning our 2023 Poison Prevention Poster Contest with @seattlechildren! Celebrate Aarav & #NPPW23 with us with the activities & resources at https://bit.ly/NPPWwapc”

Aarav's artwork was transformed into the official Washington State Poison Prevention Poster for National Poison Prevention Week, March 19-25, 2023, a news release informed.