Seventh-grade students at Herbert Hoover Middle School in Edison know a lot about health, fitness and nutrition.
The students won the 2018 UnitedHealthcare Health Bee competition at the Metuchen YMCA on April 19. For their showing, UnitedHealthcare awarded the school $1,000 to apply to its health and wellness programs.
Students from four middle schools, including Edgar Middle School in Metuchen and Herbert Hoover, John Adams and Woodrow Wilson Middle schools in Edison, competed in the quiz show-style competition to inspire students to learn about health, fitness and nutrition.
The students have been preparing for the competition since the fall.
Paul Marden, chief executive officer for UnitedHealthcare of New Jersey, kicked off the competition and stressed the importance of adopting healthy habits early in life.
“The UnitedHealthcare Health Bee teaches students about nutrition, physical fitness and overall health in a way that’s fun and engaging,” Marden said. “By helping kids understand how their choices affect the way their body works and feels, we help set them on a healthy path to adulthood.”
Students from Edgar Middle School won second place and a $500 grant, and Woodrow Wilson students won the school spirit award and $250.
The UnitedHealthcare Health Bee competition is in its ninth year. The bee is in partnership with the Metuchen YMCA’s 7th Grade Initiative, a program that offers complimentary YMCA membership to 7th graders to encourage healthy living.
“The UnitedHealthcare Health Bee lets students celebrate their knowledge of health and wellness, and gives them a head start on adopting healthy habits,” said Christine Tolley, senior program director at the YMCA. “Linking the UnitedHealthcare Health Bee competition to the 7th Grade Initiative adds a collaborative component to the program, which fosters greater participation and team-building skills among the students.”