Tar Wars Winner Gives Back

First, Alana McGuinness got the attention of physicians with her artwork. Now, she's done it again with her generosity.

The 10-year-old from Bristol, R.I., was named the winner of the Tar Wars National Poster Contest July 12 in Washington, D.C., during the annual Tar Wars National Conference, which is the culmination of the AAFP's school-based tobacco-free education program. The prize -- $2,000 -- traditionally is used by the winner for a family vacation.

But McGuinness, who has traveled to out-of-state figure skating and gymnastics competitions and has taken family vacations in places like California, Florida, New York and Texas, had other ideas.

"I had vacations that I would have liked to go on," her father, Kevin McGuinness, said with a laugh. "She came to us and said, 'Would it be OK if I donated the money? We go on a lot of trips, and I'd like other people to have this opportunity.'"

As the national poster contest winner, McGuinness had the opportunity to participate in the Tar Wars National Conference and visit to Capitol Hill, where she met Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I.

"The trip to Washington, D.C., the big blue ribbon and the memory of this awesome experience is award enough," she wrote in a letter to the Rhode Island Medical Society, which collaborates with the Rhode Island Academy of Family Physicians and the Rhode Island chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics in the state's Tar Wars program.

McGuinness presented an oversized $1,000 check -- nearly as big as the sixth-grader -- Sept. 17 during the Rhode Island Medical Society's annual banquet in Newport. The audience of about 200 people gave her a standing ovation. "They were extremely impressed with her and her character," said Karen Dalton, executive director of the Rhode Island AFP.

In addition, McGuinness met Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., and Lt. Gov. Elizabeth Roberts at the banquet, along with dozens of physicians.

Kevin McGuinness said a few physicians used their cell phones to record audio and video messages of his daughter telling their patients not to smoke. "A number of people congratulated her," he said. "Everybody was taken by her. It was a great experience."

Catherine Norton, assistant director of professional and community services for the Rhode Island Medical Society, said Tar Wars is presented to about 3,200 children each year in 36 Rhode Island schools. Norton said she hopes to expand the program to 50 schools this year, and local media coverage of McGuinness could help raise interest.

"Hopefully, this year, with the great story we have to tell, we can get more schools to join us," she said.

McGuinness also donated $1,000 to her school, St. Mary Academy Bay View in Riverside, R.I.

Tar Wars is supported, in part, by the AAFP Foundation. Health care professionals and educators present the program to about 500,000 fourth- and fifth-grade students each year.