Student Video Contest Finalist: 'It's Important to Be Healthy'

student Marissa Orzame may only be in sixth grade, but she is already an accomplished dancer, an excellent student and a talented videographer.

And now, 12-year-old Marissa is hoping to add health blogger to her growing list of accomplishments, having been from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.

>>To view the five videos and vote in the contest, visit aHealthierMichigan.org/kidcontest.<<

"I’m bursting out in excitement," Marissa said. Her video – which Marissa said took her just 45 minutes to edit together using iMovie on her new computer – features a "dance battle" and encourages kids to stay active at home while having fun.

"It’s really cool to see my video online. It’s kind of weird though, because people from different grades come up to me and say, ‘great video.’”

Marissa, whose greatest passion is dance, comes from an active and health-conscious family. She said her father, Arthur Orzame – who is also featured in the video – encourages her to be active while still having a good time.

"Sometimes we’re just having fun and we just start to dance together, and it turns into a battle," Marissa said. She added that her mom dances, though "not a lot."

"We just dance together, but I don’t really like to dance," Arthur said, adding that when it comes to the dance talent in the family, "I think it's all her."

As a finalist, Marissa has a chance to be a guest video blogger for ahealthierMichigan.org and to receive a school assembly with Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford.

"I really want to be one because I want everyone to know that exercising doesn’t have to be running around," she said. "You can do everyday activities and still be able to exercise. ... I think it’s important to be healthy.”

About the video contest

More than 40 students in fourth through eighth grade participated in the contest, which adds a new dimension to efforts to combat childhood obesity by having kids share their ideas through creativity and new media.

The five "Make the Play" video contest finalists are:

• Kailey Head, fourth grade, North Elementary in Newport
• Jalen Johnson, fifth grade, Forest Elementary School in Farmington Hills
• Kate LeLone, eighth grade, Cherryland Middle School in Elk Rapids
• Marissa Orzame, sixth grade, Boulan Park Middle School in Troy
• Hailey Samples, fifth grade, Warner Upper Elementary in Farmington Hills

The winner will be decided by public votes. Voting opened at noon April 13 and runs until midnight April 25; the winner will be announced on May 7.  

About the program

The program was inspired by 10-year-old Marshall Reid from North Carolina, who documented his fight against childhood obesity through “Portion Size Me” videos.    

The contest adds a new dimension to the Blue Cross Blue Shield's efforts to combat childhood obesity by encouraging kids to share their ideas using creativity and new media.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), childhood obesity has both immediate and long-term effects on health and well-being. Schools play a particularly critical role by establishing a safe and supportive environment with policies and practices that support healthy behaviors. Schools also provide opportunities for students to learn about and practice healthy eating and physical activity behaviors.