Health Partnership Clinic, UnitedHealthcare and Olathe Noon Optimists Champion Health and Wellness Through Creative Outreach

By Catherine Rice, Vice President of Marketing/Outreach at Health Partnership Clinic

Promoting health and wellbeing among elementary students is essential — and one creative, engaging way to reach young learners is through art. Health Partnership Clinic (HPC), in collaboration with UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Kansas and the Olathe Noon Optimists Club, proudly sponsored this year’s coloring contest for third-grade students at Title I elementary schools in the Olathe School District.

The 2025 contest theme, “Live Healthy—Give Your Body What It Needs,” encouraged students to reflect on the importance of nutritious eating, physical activity, personal hygiene, safety and quality sleep — key habits for growing strong and staying well.

“The response to this year’s contest was phenomenal,” shares Catherine Rice, Vice President of Marketing and Community Outreach. “We were thrilled to receive 527 beautifully colored entries from students across 11 Title I elementary schools. Even more impressive — all 27 third-grade teachers embraced the initiative, and 24 classrooms achieved 100 percent participation, earning a well-deserved donut celebration for their students.”

The contest not only fostered creativity but also reinforced essential health messages in a fun, memorable way for young learners.

Coloring contest winners:

Sophia, Indian Creek Elementary – First Place Winner

Nelia, Mahaffie Elementary – Second Place Winner

Lilly, Havencroft Elementary – Third Place Winner

Levi, Northview Elementary – Honorable Mention

Katrina Johnson, a third-grade teacher from Ridgeview Elementary, won the 100 percent participation drawing. The prize included a pizza party for the class and a gift card for the teacher.

“At UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Kansas we are thrilled to once again support this amazing way of reaching children with health education in a fun and interactive way,” says Laura Canelos, Director of Community Outreach for UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Kansas. “Thanks to all the partners that came together to make this happen.”

The Olathe Noon Optimists Club was also thrilled to partner with HPC and UnitedHealthcare to raise awareness about health and wellbeing. The Optimists have a long-standing tradition of helping elementary students with dictionaries and high school students with scholarship money toward college and trade schools.

Left: Judges – Right: Winning Class with Ms. Johnson

A huge thank you to our judges, volunteers and support staff:

• Nikki Balden, Health Partnership Clinic
• Melissa Beaudoin, Olathe School District
• Elizabeth Billings, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Kansas
• Barbara Cordts, Olathe Noon Optimist Club
• Laura Canelos, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Kansas
• Erica Derrington, Olathe School District
• Sara Foland, Olathe Noon Optimist Club
• Carolyn Holland, Olathe Noon Optimist Club
• Tom Kearney, Olathe Noon Optimist Club
• Jorge Larriba, Health Partnership Clinic
• Connie Leary, Olathe Noon Optimist Club
• Judy Leary, Olathe Noon Optimist Club
• Marlene Natoli, Olathe Noon Optimist Club
• Catherine Rice, Health Partnership Clinic
• Jody Rice, Health Partnership Clinic
• Maria Weiler, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Kansas