Winners of National Contest

Date:	January 10, 2007
Contact:	Dave Lemmon, Director of Communications Geraldine Henrich-Koenis, Deputy Communications Director 202-628-3030

Campaign for Children's Health Care Announces Winners of National Essay Contest
Colleen Brady (Ohio) and Jonathan Hale (New Hampshire) Grand Prize Winners -- Contest Drew in over 4,500 Essay Entries from 40 States

Washington, D.C. - The Campaign for Children’s Health Care, an initiative led by a diverse group of national organizations to raise public awareness about the plight of the more than 9 million children who have no health care coverage, today announced the winners of its National Essay Contest.

Titled “When an Apple a Day Isn’t Enough,” the contest called on its young entrants to give thought, and then give voice, to all the reasons they believe that ready access to health care can affect their lives and the lives of those around them. More than 4,500 children and young adults ages nine through 18 entered the contest by submitting their essay.

Winners were selected from two age groups in each state: 9-13 and 14-18. The state winners will each receive a $250 cash prize and will have their essays published in a campaign publication (see below for a list of state winners).

From this pool of state winners, one Grand Prize winner was selected from each age group. Colleen Brady from Hilliard, Ohio and Jonathan Hale from Windham, New Hampshire were selected as the Grand Prize winners and will be awarded a cash prize of $2,500 and will be flown to Washington, D.C. (along with their teacher and a parent) for a special awards ceremony on January 25, 2007.

The campaign rewards participating sponsors as well. One teacher or program facilitator for each Grand Prize winner will also receive a trip to Washington, D.C. and will be recognized with his or her student at the awards ceremony. In addition, Wayne Middle School in Bicknell, Utah will receive a $2,000 cash award for school supplies for submitting the most entries.

This contest aims to promote a greater understanding—in the young contestants, in their families, and in their school systems—about the importance of ready access to health care for children and young adults and the need to make health coverage for all children a national priority.

“We were not only surprised at the overwhelming number of entries from children and young adults, but we were also amazed at the quality of work displayed by the thousands of students who participated” said Ron Pollack, Executive Director of Families USA. “This kind of response only reinforces the urgent need to provide affordable, quality health care coverage for all of America’s children.”

“The essays offered an opportunity for young people to reflect upon the value of something many of us take for granted—the high-quality medical care that health insurance makes possible” said Antonia Cortese, Executive Vice President of the American Federation of Teachers. “These eloquent youngsters have become some of the most powerful spokespersons for the millions who deserve access to affordable health care.”

Andrew Newcomb, Alabama (14-18 yr. old)
Shayna Schuman, Arizona (14-18 yr. old)
Melissa Martin, Arkansas (14-18 yr. old)
Brendan Nguyen, California (9-13 yr. old)
Patrick Vandenberg, California (14-18 yr. old)
Jeffrey Klamut, Colorado (14-18 yr. old)
Sarah Ports, Connecticut (14-18 yr. old)
Shannon Bailey, Florida (14-18 yr. old)
Kalley McMullen, Georgia (9-13 yr. old)
Casey Butler, Georgia (14-18 yr. old)
Ricky Miller, Hawaii (9-13 yr. old)
Lindsey Daudt, Idaho (14-18 yr. old)
Indra Neil Garimidi, Illinois (9-13 yr. old)
Michael Sobolewski, Illinois (14-18 yr. old)
Aaron Guzzo, Indiana (14-18 yr. old)
Ronette Bruner, Iowa (9-13 yr. old)
Caitlin Jones, Iowa (14-18 yr. old)
Darian Sanner, Kansas (9-13 yr. old)
Kelsi Hillbrant-Head, Kansas (14-18 yr. old)
Jaclyn Ochsner, Kentucky (9-13 yr. old)
Caitlyn Smith, Kentucky (14-18 yr. old)
Mollie Burke, Louisiana (14-18 yr. old)
Natashia White, Maryland (14-18 yr. old)
John Armando, Massachusetts (14-18 yr. old)
Elizabeth Similuk, Michigan (14-18 yr. old)
Nicolas Montoya, Minnesota (14-18 yr. old)
Francisco Velasquez, Mississippi (14-18 yr. old)
Kathryn Griffin, Missouri (9-13 yr. old)

Emily Harryman, Missouri (14-18 yr. old)
Erika Postma, Montana (9-13 yr. old)
Kearstin Jacobson, Montana (14-18 yr. old)
Brieanna Jasnoch, Nebraska (14-18 yr. old)
Dillon Tatum, Nevada (14-18 yr. old)
Jonathan Hale, New Hampshire (14-18 yr. old)
Michael Barbella, New Jersey (14-18 yr. old)
Zaira Gasanova, New York (9-13 yr. old)
Amanda Purner, New York (14-18 yr. old)
Ashlee Burgess, North Carolina (14-18 yr. old)
Colleen Brady, Ohio (9-13 yr. old)
Sarah McMasters, Ohio (14-18 yr. old)
Brooke Mahoney, Oklahoma (14-18 yr. old)
Melissa Booher, Oregon (9-13 yr. old)
Fernando Ramirez, Oregon (14-18 yr. old)
Joshua Bowman, Pennsylvania (9-13 yr. old)
Elizabeth Geronikos, Pennsylvania (14-18 yr. old)
Ashley Hogan, South Carolina (9-13 yr. old)
Derrick Duckworth, South Carolina (14-18 yr. old)
Sarah Brunstad, Tennessee (14-18 yr. old)
Karis Jochen, Texas (9-13 yr. old)
Chase Gray, Texas (14-18 yr. old)
Caroline Van Dyke, Utah (9-13 yr. old)
Michelle Paul, Utah (14-18 yr. old)
Jamil Jackson, Virginia (9-13 yr. old)
Aislynn Cannon, Virginia (14-18 yr. old)
Katie Saunders, Washington (14-18 yr. old)
Kimberly Chaloupka, Wisconsin (14-18 yr. old)

For a list of campaign partners and to learn more about the campaign, visit our Web site at www.childrenshealthcampaign.org

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202-628-3030 · E-mail: info@childrenshealthcampaign.org · www.childrenshealthcampaign.org