Hailey Samples admits she was a little nervous as she sat in front about 1,000 of her Warner Upper Elementary schoolmates Wednesday afternoon. 

"I've never been in a crowd that big before, like, in front of them," said the 5th grader, who won the assembly with Detriot Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford through the Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) "Make the Play" competition. 

Hailey, with the help of her mother, Sheilah Samples, produced a video sharing her best tips for staying healthy. As a finalist, she rounded up the support of family and friends in an online voting campaign last month. She learned on May 7 that her video took top honors. 

BCBS vice president of corporate communications Andy Hetzel said Wednesday that Hailey was actually behind by several hundred votes going into the final days of the contest. In all, her video received more than 8,000 votes – a total that even surprised Hailey.

"We really started telling our friends and family to vote in those last couple of hours because it's the last day to vote," she said. "We really tried." 

As part of the Wednesday assembly, Hailey got the chance to interview Stafford and asked him some questions about his own health habits. She learned he is "a big grilled chicken fan".

"I know you're going to be grossed out, but I like spinach," Stafford added. He also admitted to liking Brussels sprouts. 

"The healthier you eat, the more fun you're going to have," Stafford told students, "and the better grades you're going to have."