Pop dropped in Resolute

One hundred percent of the students at Qamartalik School in Resolute Bay took part in Health and Social service’s “Drop the Pop” contest and, after abstaining from soda for an average of 4.85 days, students at that school were declared the overall winners.

This year 26 out of Nunavut’s 41 schools participated in the contest – where students are encouraged to give up pop for one week – an increase from only 14 schools in 2004. In all, 2,654 students “dropped the pop” for an average of 3.4 days. In total, that’s 8,089 days, or 22 years.

“Drop the Pop” is organized as a fun way to support National Nutrition Month and National Dental Health Month. A student at each school that participated was selected by draw to receive a $30 gift certificate. As the overall winners, all the students and staff at Qamartalik School will receive a week of free healthy drinks, provided by Arctic Co-Operatives.