The Healthiest State Initiative has announced Ankeny Community School District as a finalist in the education category for the 2019 Healthiest State annual awards.

Individuals, communities, schools, and workplaces will be recognized for their efforts to improve the physical, social, and emotional well-being of Iowans.

“We are continually impressed by the work that is happening across the state and our annual awards provide an opportunity to showcase that,” said Jami Haberl, Healthiest State Initiative executive director. “We are excited to recognize the finalists and winners for their efforts to make Iowa the healthiest state in the nation.”

The finalists in the six categories include:

Education
Ankeny Community Schools
Irving Elementary (Waterloo)
Pierce Elementary (Cedar Rapids)

Community
Algona
Altoona
Cass County
Clinton
Farragut
Forest City
Knoxville
Mason City
Sergeant Bluff

Individual
Kris Kavanaugh
Katie Sandquist
Jessica Wegner

Workplace

Small

Merchants Bonding Company
POET Biorefining (Hanlontown)
Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission
 

Medium

DLL Finance
Gundersen Palmer Lutheran Hospital
Smithfield Hog Production
 

Large

Des Moines University
Kemin Industries
Meredith Corporation