Livingston Today

FLINT – Genesee Health Plan (GHP) today announced it is accepting entries for its Eighth Annual Health Heritage Essay Contest. Sovita Credit Union is the contest sponsor, which is open to all Flint and Genesee County students in grades 5-12. Students are encouraged to interview one or more of their family members about their family health history and write an essay about their family health history, their current health and goals for a healthy future.

The contest began in February of 2015 to coincide with Black History Month, in partnership with the National Center for African American Health Consciousness to increase awareness of differences in health and health outcomes among African Americans. Initially, the contest was promoted to Flint Public Schools’ grades 3-12 through GHP’s Community Health Workers (CHWs) who work in all Flint Schools and selected Charter schools to assist students, their parents and community residents access health coverage and connect families with community resources.

“With our team of Community Health Workers in all Flint Schools, this has continued to be a wonderful way for our CHWs to mentor and encourage their scholars to explore their family health history and write about it,” said Sherika Finklea, GHP Community Health Worker Coordinator. “Our number one goal with this contest is to get as many students as possible to begin a conversation with their family about their health so they can set attainable, healthy goals for their future.”

Since its start, the contest has evolved to include students’ exploration of their family health history from all race/ethnicities, creating an intergenerational conversation about the importance of health and knowing your health heritage. The contest is held each February in observance of Black History Month while also celebrating family heritage.

The specific essay guidelines are outlined below and can also be found at geneseehealthplan.org. 

Elementary (grades 5 and 6 only) & Middle/Junior High School

• Elementary: 200-350 words
• Middle/Junior High School: 350-500 words
• Essay must be typed or clearly hand-written
• First place winner will receive a $200 gift card; second place winner will receive a $100 gift card

High School

• 400-600 words
• Essay must be typed
• First place essay contest winner will receive a $400 gift card; second place winner will receive a $200 gift card

“Sovita Credit Union is honored to continue our partnership with GHP to sponsor the Health Heritage Essay contest,” said Jen Shew, Sovita Credit Union Director of Marketing. “It is crucial for students to discuss their family health history at an early age and keep the conversation going beyond the contest. We are grateful for the administrators, teachers and school employees who encourage students to participate in the essay contest and hope this year’s contest will be the largest one yet.”

All essay submissions are due by Monday, April 24. Contest winners will be recognized at a later date.

For more information including specific contest rules and guidelines, visit www.geneseehealthplan.org.

Original source can be found here.