PRESS RELEASE: Genesee Health Plan and Sovita Credit Union honor teachers and students

 ***Photos available here and at end of release. Photo credit: Genesee Health Plan***

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2023

Shannon Ciszek, Communications Coordinator, Genesee Health Plan, 810.232.7740, sciszek@countyhealthplans.org

Jen Shew, Director of Marketing, Sovita Credit Union, 810.720.8437, jshew@sovitacu.org

Genesee Health Plan and Sovita Credit Union

honor teachers and students

Health Heritage Essay Contest winners acknowledged with legislative tributes from State Representatives

FLINT – The Genesee Health Plan (GHP) recognized teachers and students who participated in the Seventh Annual Health Heritage Essay Contest, sponsored by Sovita Credit Union, during a private reception on Monday, August 14. State Representative David Martin, and C.J. Barnes, Constituent Services for State Representative Cynthia Neeley, honored winners within their house districts.

Each year, students from across Genesee County reflect on their family health histories and how it will impact their current and future health.  Connections between family, community and health are highlighted through the Health Heritage Essay Contest which also helps to spark conversations between the student and their family, providing an intergenerational experience for all participants.

“It was an honor to present the students with a tribute to recognize their essay and most importantly, acknowledging the contest in helping students understand the importance of their health and setting healthy goals for the future.” said Cynthia Neeley, State Representative 70^th House District. “Congratulations to all participants and winners, we applaud you.”

“Sovita Credit Union has been a wonderful community partner to GHP, and we thank them for their continued support,” said Jim Milanowski, GHP President and CEO. “We also thank the teachers, parents and guardians who encourage their students to participate and help them learn of their family health history.”

“This contest continues to encourage students’ discovery of their health and to spark those important conversations about what health is and what it means to be healthy,” said David Martin, State Representative 68^th House District. “Congratulations to all students and teachers who participated, we are proud of the work you have done.”

This year, 104 students participated in the contests.

The contest winners were:

Elementary

• First place: Ovianna Coleman, Potter Elementary School
• Second place: Harold Johnson, Brownell STEM Academy

Middle school

• First place: Levi Momoh, Carman Ainsworth Middle School

High school

• First place: Bayan Aboluhom, Grand Blanc High School
• Second place: Chloe Hilving, Grand Blanc High School

Teacher winners:

• Kelly Cross, teacher at Brownell STEM Academy
• Karen Christian, teacher at Potter Elementary School
• Lyniece McNair-Levi, teacher at Grand Blanc High School