In partnership with Detroit Lions Quarterback Matthew Stafford, Blue Cross recently asked kids ages 7-14 to create a two-minute video or submit a photo and short essay answering the question ‘What’s your favorite way to get moving and be active??
Oxford Middle School eighth-grader Austin West, was named one of three photo/essay finalist out of more than 40 submissions to the #MIKidsCan Contest (read essay below). The winner of the photo/essay category will receive tickets to the Detroit Lions Thanksgiving game and autographed Detroit Lions gear.
‘I feel really good about it because I really didn’t think I’d make it that far,? West said. ‘When I ended up being a finalist, it shocked me.?
‘We are extremely impressed by the incredible entries we received from Michigan kids entered in the MIKidsCan Contest,? Andrew Hetzel, said vice president of Corporate Communications for Blue Cross said. ‘These finalists are great examples of how kids can have a great time getting active everyday, and we think they’ll inspire other kids to do the same.?
When asked why he entered the contest, West said he wanted to show his friends and family ‘how it’s cool to be athletic and healthy, and not do stuff that can harm yourself and make you unhealthy.?
Not only does West play football for Oxford Middle School, but he also loves to volunteer in the community.
‘I’ve always volunteered to do stuff for our community such as helping at the Oxford/Orion FISH (food pantry) and helping the (Oxford) Fire Department by spreading mulch around their trees and flowers, (as well as) a lot of stuff at school,? he added. ‘I help the sixth-graders out with what they need by (giving them tours of) the school (as a ‘Web Leader?) and showing them what to do.?
West said Stafford is one of his athletic heroes.
‘I think it would be pretty cool just to be able to see him in person compared to going to a game and watching him (on the field),? he noted.
His mother, June West, was very proud of her son. ‘I think it’s outstanding because he’s overcome a learning disability and I just think it’s outstanding that he made the final three,? she said.
June explained that Austin had a reading/writing comprehension disability which he overcame.
‘When he went from elementary to middle school, they took him out of special education classes, so to me that’s kind of rewarding,? she added. ‘I think Oxford Schools helped him throughout the process.?
She noted he recently won another essay contest. ‘He ended up being one the four kids, out of the 200 kids. that went to Washington D.C., (that got) to lay a wreathe at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from the essay that he wrote.?
The #MIKidsCan Contest is an extension of Blue Cross? ongoing efforts to help Michigan families make good choices that lead to healthier lives. With a focus on improving children’s health, over the last 10 years Blue Cross has given more than $6 million to support kids? health and wellness initiatives across the state, reaching more than 10,000 children.

Austin West’s essay
Do you hear that the music on the speakers, the crowd yelling in the stand? It’s that time ,game time boys! The roar of the crowd is my favorite thing that pumps me up. I love being active but something about the atmosphere with football just makes me put 110% to what I’m doing.
My baby brother also gets me moving as soon as I get home from school he says bike ride, so I buckle him up and off we go on a bike ride. I play back yard baseball with my buddies. Living in the great state of Michigan gives me an opportunity to be active in the beautiful outdoors, with this being said I love to fish, hunt and walk the trails with my family.
In my opinion there is nothing like taking a walk and watching the wildlife and taking in the fall colors that our beautiful state has. Thank you for giving me this opportunity to express to you the way I like to keep active.