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Two Columbus City Schools Students Win Vax-2-School Scholarships
December 3, 2021 - Two Columbus City Schools (CCS) students are among 150 winners of $10,000 scholarships as part of the Ohio Vax-2-School campaign. Clinton Elementary School second grader Paxton Heflin and Indianola Informal K-8 sixth grader Mar’kalen Rogers will have Ohio 529 College Advantage plans opened in their names, with hefty $10,000 deposits awaiting their use at any Ohio college, university, technical/trade school, or career program of their choice.
The Ohio Department of Health Vax-2-School initiative is a public outreach campaign designed to increase awareness of the availability and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines and provide incentives for younger Ohioans to get a COVID-19 vaccination.
CCS school nurse Cori Heflin, who is also Paxton’s mother, said she was thrilled to receive the call Tuesday night.
“I took Paxton for his first dose on November 5 at a private clinic and he was a little disappointed that he didn’t get the $100 Vax cash that some of his friends received from Columbus Public Health,” said Heflin. “I had to explain to him that although he can’t see it, hold it, or spend it now, he got so much more with the scholarship!”
Eleven-year-old Rogers had a bit more understanding of how the scholarship money would be used and was also thrilled about winning.
“This means I can use the money to go to college. I want to go to school for art and also play basketball. Maybe I’ll go to Ohio State,” Rogers said.
While the Vax-2-School campaign is over, the Ohio Department of Health will be announcing the final five $100,000 scholarship winners this evening.
Starting December 13th, CCS students aged 5-11 will have the opportunity to receive the COVID-19 vaccine conveniently at their elementary school. However, the deadline is fast approaching. To get a COVID-19 vaccine during the school clinics, parents must complete and return the COVID-19 consent form, no later than December 7.
Consent forms can be completed electronically or by paper copy and returned to your school nurse.
For more information on the COVID-19 vaccine clinics for students 5-11, please visit the Columbus City Schools Health Hub. COVID-19 vaccines are also widely available throughout the state for those individuals who are 12 and up. Log onto gettheshot.coronavirus.ohio.gov to find a health provider in your area.