A Berks County student was among those recognized this week by the Shapiro Administration in the 2026 “Protect. Check. Remove.” Lyme Disease Student Art Competition, an annual statewide initiative aimed at raising awareness about tick safety and Lyme disease prevention.
Valkyrie Lindberg, of Berks County, received an honorable mention in the third and fourth grade category. The competition invited first through sixth grade students across Pennsylvania to create posters and videos promoting awareness of ticks, Lyme disease, and simple prevention practices.
State officials honored 18 student winners during a ceremony in Harrisburg attended by representatives from the Pennsylvania departments of Health, Conservation and Natural Resources, and Environmental Protection. More than 145 students from across the Commonwealth submitted entries in March.
“As a pediatrician, I know that playing and spending time outdoors is an important part of a healthy childhood—but so is protection,” said Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Dr. Debra Bogen. “The students participating in the Lyme art contest aren’t just making art; they are using it to spur important conversation about preventing Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses.”
The winning artwork will remain on display in the East Wing of the Pennsylvania State Capitol through the end of May.
Pennsylvania consistently ranks among the top states in the country for Lyme disease cases. Officials said ticks can be found in both rural and urban areas, including shrubs, tall grass, weeds, and leaf litter.
The contest is designed to educate students and families about how to reduce the risk of tick bites and recognize symptoms of Lyme disease, which can spread to the joints, heart, and nervous system if left untreated.
State officials encouraged residents to wear EPA-approved insect repellent, cover exposed skin, and check themselves, children, and pets for ticks after spending time outdoors. They also recommended showering after outdoor activities and placing clothing in a dryer on high heat to help kill ticks.
In addition to the art contest, the Pennsylvania Department of Health maintains an online dashboard showing where tickborne diseases are most prevalent across the Commonwealth.
