Athens, Ga. (June 12, 2019) – Piedmont Athens Regional kicked off its 100-year anniversary celebrations with a sponsored essay contest for middle-school students in the Athens-Clarke County and surrounding communities.

“With the hospital turning 100 this year, we’ll be hosting a number of different centennial celebrations now through 2020,” said Tammy Gilland, executive director of philanthropy at Piedmont Athens Regional. “We wanted to open up a fun contest for our local middle school students, so they can contribute to the hospital’s 100-year birthday celebrations.”

The essay, to be completed by Sept. 13, 2019, prior to the hospital’s official celebration event in late-September, should highlight why the hospital is important to the communities it serves.

“Students will be tasked with writing a 1,200 word essay that highlights the important services the hospital provides to its 17-county service area,” Gilland said. “The first-, second- and third-place winners of the contest will have the opportunity to read their essays at our birthday event in September.”

Cash prizes will be awarded to the winners of the contest. First place will be awarded $500, second place $250 and third place $100. Eligible participants include all middle school students in Athens-Clarke, Oconee, Barrow, Jackson, Madison and Oglethorpe counties.

Students participating can mail their typed or handwritten essays to the Piedmont Athens Regional Foundation, located at 1199 Prince Avenue in Athens, by Sept. 13. Submissions can also be sent by email to athensfoundation@piedmont.org.

Aside from Piedmont Athens Regional’s 100-year birthday celebration scheduled for September, the hospital is also planning various other centennial celebrations in the coming months.