EDISON, N.J., June 3 /PRNewswire/ -- The AMERIGROUP Foundation today announced Bridgette Hanson from East Dover Elementary School in Toms River, N.J., as the winner of the "Bee Healthy Spelling Bee" on May 31 at the Dreyfus Theatre on the campus of Fairleigh Dickinson University.
The "Bee Healthy Spelling Bee" is an educational contest sponsored by the AMERIGROUP Foundation. Its purpose is to help students gain a greater awareness of healthy lifestyles and improve their spelling and vocabulary skills to lead healthier lives, both physically and mentally. All the words used in the spelling bee are health-related.
More than 675 fifth-grade students from four schools throughout New Jersey competed in classroom and school-level spelling bees. Five finalists from each school competed for the title and the grand prize: a Dell laptop computer. All finalists will receive an iPOD shuffle. This year's participating schools included 5ive/6ix School in Hackensack, Rafael Hernandez School in Newark, School #5 in Passaic and East Dover Elementary School in Toms River.
"AMERIGROUP is pleased to be involved in such an innovative and educational community event. All of the students who participated in this contest demonstrated a clear understanding of vocabulary relative to key health issues that affect their communities, families and friends," said Rachelle Graham, Vice President, Sales and Marketing, AMERIGROUP Community Care. "The result was a rewarding event featuring a unique way for students to educate themselves on health matters. This was truly a contest in which just participating was a victory for everyone involved."
Mark Valli, President and CEO, NJ After 3, served as a judge and Darleen Reveille, Garfield Department of Health, served as pronouncer. New Jersey After 3 is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding and improving after-school opportunities for New Jersey children.
About the AMERIGROUP Foundation
The AMERIGROUP Foundation is the philanthropic arm of AMERIGROUP Corporation, a multi-state managed healthcare company based in Virginia Beach, Va. The Foundation works to create healthy communities by fostering access to healthcare, encouraging safe and healthy children and families, and promoting community improvement and healthy neighborhoods. For more information about the AMERIGROUP Foundation, visit www.amerigroupcorp.com/foundation.
SOURCE The AMERIGROUP Foundation
