ST.PAUL, Minn. – Midwest Dairy Council sponsored seven passionate student leaders to collaborate on in-school solutions to the childhood obesity epidemic at the inaugural Fuel Up to Play 60 Student Ambassador Leadership Summit, held in Washington, D.C this month. Serving in Fuel Up to Play 60’s most elite student leadership positions, these youth are the face of positive nutrition and fitness changes in their schools. The following Midwest student ambassadors in attendance include:
•Bailey Aanenson, state representative from West Fargo, N.D.
•Logan Ahern, state representative from West Fargo, N.D.
•Hannah McCoy, state representative from Prague, Neb.
•Katie Osmundson, national student ambassador from Sioux Falls, S.D.
•James Simon, state representative from Chicago, Ill.
•Lesley Tenorio, state representative from Waukegan, Ill.
•Jordan Turnwall, state representative from Valparaiso, Neb.
Fuel Up to Play 60, an in-school nutrition and physical activity program by the National Dairy Council and the National Football League, selected 31 students from thousands of applications to attend the two-day event, which featured a healthy cooking demonstration by celebrity chef Carla Hall and an NFL fitness session with St. Louis Rams quarterback Sam Bradford.
The Student Ambassadors attended the summit with their teachers, or “Program Advisors”, who help the students make lasting changes in their schools’ health and wellness environments.
“We are very proud of these students. Not only have they committed to improving their own health, but they are invested in the health of others, too,” said Melissa Young, director of health and wellness for Midwest Dairy Council. “The Leadership Summit was an excellent way for the ambassadors to learn from and collaborate with peers from across the country involved with Fuel Up to Play 60.”
The Fuel Up to Play 60 Student Ambassador Program is open to all students that are actively engaged in Fuel Up to Play 60. Students may apply online to become a Student Ambassador for the 2012-2013 school year at FuelUpToPlay60.com in September.
Fuel Up to Play 60, launched by National Dairy Council, Midwest Dairy Council and National Football League, in collaboration with United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), is successfully helping youth make positive changes in their schools by encouraging consumption of nutrient-dense foods such as low-fat and fat-free dairy, fruits, vegetables and whole grains, and participation in 60 minutes of physical activity every day. Students engage in fun challenges to earn prizes and recognition for their schools, while tracking their healthy eating and physical activity on FuelUpToPlay60.com. To learn more and get involved in Fuel Up to Play 60, visit FuelUpToPlay60.com.
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Midwest Dairy Council®, an affiliate of National Dairy Council, is the nutrition education division of Midwest Dairy Association. The Council is dedicated to dairy nutrition research and education through the investment of more than 11,000 dairy farm families across 10 Midwestern states, and is committed to child health and wellness through our collaborative program, Fuel Up to Play 60. For more information, visit www.midwestdairy.com. Follow us on Twitter and find us on Facebook at Midwest Dairy.
About Fuel Up to Play 60
Fuel Up to Play 60 is an in-school nutrition and physical activity program launched by National Dairy Council (NDC) and NFL, in collaboration with United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The program encourages youth to consume nutrient-rich foods (low-fat and fat-free dairy foods, fruits, vegetables and whole grains) and achieve 60 minutes of physical activity every day.
Fuel Up to Play 60 is designed to engage and empower youth to take action for their own health by implementing long-term, positive changes for themselves and their schools. Customizable and non-prescriptive program components are grounded in research with youth, including tools and resources, in-school promotional materials, a website and student challenges. Fuel Up to Play 60 is further supported by several health and nutrition organizations: Action for Healthy Kids, American Academy of Family Physicians, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Dietetic Association, National Hispanic Medical Association, National Medical Association and School Nutrition Association. Visit www.FuelUpToPlay60.com to learn more. Media resources, including related video footage and photos are available at www.FuelUpToPlay60MediaResources.com.
About National Dairy Council
National Dairy Council® (NDC) is the nutrition research, education and communications arm of Dairy Management Inc™. On behalf of U.S. dairy farmers, NDC provides science-based nutrition information to, and in collaboration with, a variety of stakeholders committed to fostering a healthier society, including health professionals, educators, school nutrition directors, academia, industry, consumers and media. Established in 1915, NDC is dedicated to educating the public on the health benefits of consuming milk and milk products throughout a person’s lifespan. For more information, visit www.NationalDairyCouncil.org.
About NFL PLAY 60
Designed to help tackle childhood obesity, NFL PLAY 60 brings together the NFL’s long-standing commitment to health and fitness with partner organizations like the National Dairy Council. NFL PLAY 60 is also implemented locally, as part of the NFL’s in-school, after-school and team-based programs. For more information, visit www.NFLRush.com.
Source: National Dairy Council
