$10,000 for schools

Priority Health supports Michigan schools with $10,000

(Grand Rapids, Mich. – May 22, 2008) Priority Health announced today the winners of its 2009 fourth grade letter contest.  The "Be Healthy" contest challenged fourth grade students from across the state of Michigan to write the Priority Health Cycling Team with ideas on how to make being healthy easier for their school and classmates.  Priority Health received letters from more than 600 students.  Ten students from 10 different schools were selected as winners.

The winning fourth grade students were chosen by the Priority Health Cycling Team based on their creativity, enthusiasm for health and how easy it would be to implement their idea within the classroom.  Each student received a grant of $1,000 for their school’s gym or wellness program and a party in their classroom with the cycling team.  Winning schools were also provided with a consultant to help them implement the Healthy School Action Tools (HSAT), a set of online tools designed to help Michigan schools create healthier environments.

"Priority Health is dedicated to improving the health of people of all ages," said Amy Miller, communications specialist for Priority Health. "That's why it utilizes the Priority Health Cycling Team to not only inspire students but also support health and wellness programs within schools. These athletes are great role models, especially for kids."
 
Students earning this recognition and the grant monies were from schools across Michigan:

• Glenwood Elementary, Kentwood
• Jack Harvey Elementary, Sterling Heights
• Kellogsville Elementary, Kentwood
• Martin Luther King Academy, Grand Rapids
• McKinley Elementary, Cadillac
• Murray Lake Elementary, Lowell
• Oakley Park Elementary, Walled Lake
• Pardee Elementary, Dearborn Heights
• Sheridan Elementary, Petoskey
• Traverse Heights Elementary, Traverse City

Call Amy Miller at 616 464-8571 for contact information for the schools and teachers of each winning student. Artwork and quotes from the winning students are also available in the Awards section of  www.priorityhealth.com.

About Priority Health:
Priority Health is a nationally recognized health benefits company based in Michigan. It serves nearly a half million members with a broad portfolio of products including commercial and government health plans. A nonprofit dedicated to providing all people access to affordable health care, Priority Health continues to be recognized as one of America’s Best Health Plans by U.S. News & World Report and NCQA. Priority Health employs 900 people throughout Michigan’s Lower Peninsula with offices in Grand Rapids, Farmington Hills, Holland, Jackson, and Traverse City.