12 schools represented at Fuel Up to Play 60 Reward Summit
Nearly 100 elementary, middle and high school students from throughout Arkansas and Eastern Oklahoma gathered May 5 for a nutrition and NFL-themed reward summit at the Jones Center in Springdale as a reward for their efforts to eat healthy foods and stay active.
The student teams earned invitations to the May 5 Fuel Up to Play 60 Reward Summit by actively engaging in the Fuel Up to Play 60 program in their schools. Student leaders encourage their peers to make healthier nutritional choices and commit to at least 60 minutes of physical activity each day. Fuel Up to Play 60 is an in-school nutrition and physical activity program launched by National Dairy Council, Midwest Dairy Council and the NFL in collaboration with the United States Department of Agriculture.
At the event, participants also helped celebrate local dairy farmers' 100-year commitment to the health and well-being of America's children and adults. Dairy farmers created the National Dairy Council in 1915 to provide nutrition research and education. Over the past century, the organization has continued to take a leading role in community and school health and wellness by creating and supporting important programs such as Fuel Up to Play 60.
The teams that attended the summit represented the following schools:
- Birch Kirksey Middle School, Rogers, AR
- Daisy Bates Elementary School, Little Rock, AR
- Dr. Martin Luther King Elementary, Little Rock, AR
- Dunbar Magnet Middle School, Little Rock, AR
- Fayetteville High School East, Fayetteville, AR
- Harris Elementary School, North Little Rock, AR
- Helen Tyson Middle School, Springdale, AR
- Lamar Elementary School, Lamar, AR
- Lamar Middle School, Lamar, AR
- Locust Grove Middle School, Locust Grove, OK
- McNair Middle School, Fayetteville, AR
- Western Hills Elementary School, Little Rock, AR
"We were happy to reward the students who have been active in the Fuel Up to Play 60 program with this event," said Vice President of Health and Wellness Melissa Young of Midwest Dairy Council. "It was especially fulfilling to have them celebrate their accomplishments alongside dairy farmers at the event, marking 100 years of focusing on nutrition education in our schools and communities. We hope the enthusiasm and excitement generated at the Reward Summit stays with these students as they continue to serve as health and wellness role models for their peers."
Students participated in a variety of nutrition and physical activity sessions including: a series of football drills, healthy eating activities and an interactive dairy farming education session. The students also interacted with Dr. Blair Dean who is a professor in Department of Health, Physical Education and Sport Sciences at Arkansas State University and chairman of Arkansas Governor's Council on Fitness and local Dairy Farmer Cassie Davis. Former Razorback and Pittsburgh Steelers and Indianapolis Colts linebacker Steve Conley also explained how healthy eating and staying active helped prepare him for a career in the NFL and participated in football drills with students. Each student also took the time to thank the dairy farmers who help make the Fuel Up to Play 60 program possible.
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 8,000 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 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.
About Fuel Up to Play 60 Fuel Up to Play 60 is an in-school nutrition and physical activity program launched by National Football League (NFL) and National Dairy Council (NDC), which was founded by America's dairy farmers, in collaboration with the 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. As a result of the program, last year more than 13 million students made better food choices by selecting nutritious options like low-fat and fat-free dairy products, fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Additionally, nearly 16 million students are getting more physically active during the school 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 contests. Visit FuelUpToPlay60.com to learn more.
5.11.2015