The American Heart Association and Penn State Children’s Hospital honored 12 students from Dauphin, Lancaster and York county schools for their winning essays and artwork that presented their visions of a healthier community and heart heroes. Dr. Thomas Chin, chief of pediatric cardiology at Penn State Children’s Hospital, and Dr. Sarah Iriana, interim chair of Penn State Health’s Department of Pediatrics, presented the awards at a reception for the students and their families held at the Children’s Hospital on May 16.
Students competing in the art contest were challenged to draw their vision of a heart hero, while students competing in the essay contest were asked to describe what changes they would make in their community to create longer, healthier lives.
Students competing in the art contest were challenged to draw their vision of a heart hero. The winning art was created by:
- 1st place – Charity Cochran, Middletown Area Middle School
- 2nd place – Ali’Ania Braswell, STEAM Academy, York
- 3rd place – Shay Eisenberger, Martic Elementary, Penn Manor School District
- 4th place – Airalay Wilson, Sylvan Heights Science Charter School, Harrisburg
- Honorable mention – Eduardo Perez, Phineas Davis K-8 School, York
- Honorable mention – Hope Lynn Keller, Letort Elementary, Penn Manor School District
- Honorable mention – Mia Toribio-Guzman, STEAM Academy, York
Students competing in the essay contest were asked to describe what changes they would make in their community to create longer, healthier lives. The winning essays were written by:
- 1st place – Nicholas Tome, York County School of Technology
- 2nd place – Domenique Sarmento, Lancaster County Career & Technology Center
- 3rd place – Tessa Baldwin, Lancaster County Career & Technology Center
- 4th place – Heather Markham, York County School of Technology
- Honorable mention – TyJyre Stern, William Penn Senior High School, York
More information about Kids Heart Challenge is available here.