ATTENTION, KIDS (AND TEACHERS): ENTER THE “WATERMELON UNIVERSITY” POSTER CONTEST TO WIN A FREE iPAD!

I think if I had to choose any other occupation besides my current one, I’d probably choose teaching. As a child, I remember rearranging my room to look like a classroom and playing pretend school with my friends. I was the teacher and they were the students. I’d lead them in lessons on spelling and math. It was fun for me, but going to “school” in the middle of the afternoon in July was probably the least-fun game in the world for them.

The National Watermelon Promotion Board likes teaching, too. They’ve got an entire library of watermelon-themed resources for teachers on the “Educators” section of their website. Just in time for the start of the new school year, they’ve also got a poster contest for students in grades K-5.

To enter the Watermelon University contest, students need to create a poster to go with the theme “What I love about watermelon.” The poster should include only original artwork, it should fit on an 8 ½ x 11 inch sheet of paper, and it should have an entry form attached to the back. All submissions should be postmarked by September 30.

A panel of industry experts will judge the entries, and one student will win an Apple iPad Mini 16GB. First, second and third place runners up winners will receive a $50 iTunes Gift Card. For more information and official rules, check out the Watermelon University contest page of the National Watermelon Promotion Board website.

What poster would I create if I were a grade schooler entering this contest? I’m not sure, but I’ve got several ideas, including one featuring a poster decorated with real watermelon seeds. You know, even though I’m not eligible, I think I’m going to make that poster. Because if there’s one thing I love more than teaching, it’s learning … and eating watermelon.