Eighteen Students from Across the Midwest Selected to Lead Healthy Changes in their Schools, States and Throughout the Country as Part of the Fuel Up to Play 60 Program


Midwest Dairy Council and the NFL Select 18 Midwest Students to Serve as Fuel Up to Play 60 National and State Ambassadors and Attend a National Leadership Summit



Fuel Up to Play 60Midwest Dairy AssociationEighteen students from across the Midwest have been selected to serve as National and State Ambassadors for Fuel Up to Play 60, an in-school nutrition and physical activity program created in partnership with Midwest Dairy Council and the NFL, in collaboration with USDA. Fuel Up to Play 60 encourages students to eat healthy, be active and make positive, healthy changes in their schools and communities. They are:

National Ambassadors
Robbie Sadoski – Manfield, Arkansas
Shauna Gilles – Plainfield, Illinois
Rachael Byl – Waverly/Shell Rock, Iowa
Rachael Odhiambo – Affton, Missouri State Ambassadors
Cainin Whisenant – Morrilton, Arkansas
Taylor Healy – Chicago, Illinois
Lexus Carpenter – Waverly/Shell Rock, Iowa
Jessica Usdanksy – Olathe, Kansas
Andrew Gorton – Maple Grove, Minnesota
Tim Keran – Coon Rapids, Minnesota
Joey Moorkamp – Grover, Missouri
James (Solaris) Anderson – Omaha, Nebraska
Gavin McCoy – Weston, Nebraska
Olivia Larson – West Fargo, North Dakota
Garret Holman – Locust Grove, Oklahoma
Lynzie Jenkins – Locust Grove, Oklahoma
Carolyne Burdick – Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Mitch Eichacker – Sioux Falls, South Dakota


"We are so excited to welcome this amazing group of young people into their new leadership roles," said Melissa Young, director of health and wellness for Midwest Dairy Council. "These outstanding students have shown a great passion for Fuel Up to Play 60, and we're delighted that they've chosen to inspire their peers and communities to eat healthy and get active. I look forward to seeing all that they accomplish in the upcoming school year."

Five National Ambassadors and 54 State Ambassadors from across the country lead the Fuel Up to Play 60 Student Ambassador Program, which engages youth directly as leaders to increase access to nutrient-rich foods and 60 minutes of physical activity at school. From smoothie stations to walking clubs, Fuel Up to Play 60 helps students create healthier school environments in nearly 73,000 schools nationwide. The program also encourages and recognizes schools and students with rewards, such as a trip to the Super Bowl, official NFL gear and NFL player appearances.

Selected from a nationwide search that drew more than 1,000 applicants, these State and National Ambassadors recently returned from a four-day Student Ambassador Summit for Fuel Up to Play 60 in Charlotte, N.C. at Bank of America Stadium, home of the Carolina Panthers. The annual Summit brought together Fuel Up to Play 60 student leaders and adult educators who are committed to improving their school and community by eating smart and staying active. Ambassadors had the opportunity to participate in football drills led by Carolina Panthers players Ben Hartsock, Steve Smith and Luke Kuechly. The popular NFL players also shared their advice on the importance of eating nutrient-rich foods and getting active every day. Ambassadors and Program Advisors also collaborated to create a unified declaration, which will guide their efforts in leading the program during the upcoming school year. These Ambassadors are now armed with essential leadership skills and resources to bring that declaration to life and enact healthy changes in their schools.

For more information about Fuel Up to Play 60 and the Student Ambassador Program, visit www.FuelUpToPlay60.com or find us on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/FuelUpToPlay60.

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 9,500 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 National Football League (NFL), with additional partnership support from U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The program encourages youth to consume nutrient-rich foods (low-fat and fat-free dairy, fruits, vegetables and whole grains) and achieve at least 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, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, National Hispanic Medical Association, National Medical Association and School Nutrition Association. Visit FuelUpToPlay60.com to learn more.

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. NFLPLAY 60 is also implemented locally, as part of the NFL's in-school, after-school and team-based programs. For more information, visit NFLRush.com.

About National Dairy Council
National Dairy Council® (NDC), the non-profit organization funded by the national dairy checkoff program, is committed to nutrition education and research-based communications. NDC provides science-based nutrition information to, and in collaboration with, a variety of stakeholders committed to fostering a healthier nation, including health professionals, educators, school nutrition directors, academia, industry, consumers and media. Established in 1915, NDC comprises a staff of registered dietitians and nutrition research and communications experts across the country. NDC has taken a leadership role in promoting child health and wellness through programs such as Fuel Up to Play 60. Developed by NDC and the National Football League (NFL), Fuel Up to Play 60 encourages youth to consume nutrient-rich foods and achieve at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day. For more information, visit www.NationalDairyCouncil.org.

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7.15.2013