VALLEY CITY, N.D. – Three enthusiastic leaders at Valley City Jr./Sr. High School have been named Fuel Up to Play 60 Program Advisors of the Year for North Dakota. Beth Beckers, Food and Consumer Science teacher, Sue Milender, School Nutrition Director, and Trevor Bakalar, Physical Education teacher, co-lead the school’s Fuel Up to Play 60 Program. They take an active leadership role in encouraging students to eat healthy, get active and make a difference.
Fuel Up to Play 60 is an in-school nutrition and physical activity program developed by the National Dairy Council, Midwest Dairy Council, and the National Football League, in collaboration with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). More than 70,000 schools are involved in Fuel Up to Play 60 nationwide.
Through the efforts of program advisors like Beckers, Milender and Bakalar, schools across the country are encouraging youth to consume nutrient-rich foods, including low-fat and fat-free dairy foods, fruits, vegetables and whole grains, and achieve at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day. Locally, the Valley City team has introduced an in-school Walking Club, a Friday morning breakfast smoothie program and a meals-to -go program for student athletes among other initiatives.
“We’re excited to recognize the leadership of this fantastic trio of advisors,” says Char Heer, registered dietitian and Health and Wellness Program Manager with Midwest Dairy Council. “We applaud their efforts to provide more healthy meal options, encourage physical activity and inspire students to participate in Fuel Up to Play 60.”
To celebrate the teachers’ Program Advisor of the Year acheivements, Valley City Jr./Sr. High School will host former NFL player John Taylor at an in-school assembly on Wednesday, May 9. The school also took first place in Fuel Up to Play 60’s Physical Activity Challenge and Healthy Eating Challenge among all participants in North Dakota.
“The NFL Alumni Association is proud of leaders like Beth, Sue and Trevor, who take time out of their busy schedule to work one-on-one with students as part of the Fuel Up to Play 60 program. Fuel Up to Play 60 Program Advisors deserve to be recognized for their leadership and commitment to building healthier schools and a healthier future for our youth. Their hard work is why the Alumni Association is committed to Fuel Up to Play 60,” says George Martin, Executive Director of the National Football League Alumni Association.
“As dairy farmers, we have always cared about legacy and the importance of passing on a better future to the next generation, and we have been dedicated to child nutrition through our investment in National Dairy Council for more than 95 years,” said dairy farmer Terry Entzminger from Jamestown, N.D. “We are so pleased to honor leaders who are making a difference in their schools to help children achieve healthier lifestyles.”
In addition to engaging and empowering students to get involved in Fuel Up to Play 60, program advisors help their schools and students earn recognition, rewards and funding to support wellness initiatives in their schools. Any adult enrolled in Fuel Up to Play 60 can become a program advisor. To learn more about Fuel Up to Play 60 and becoming a program advisor, visit http://school.fueluptoplay60.com/welcome/program-advisor.php.
For more information on Fuel Up to Play 60 or to sign up for the program visit www.FuelUpToPlay60.com or www.MidwestDairy.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 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 the National Dairy Council (NDC) and NFL, with additional partnership support from United States 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 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 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 The National Football League Alumni Association (“Association”) was originally founded in 1967 with the primary purpose of securing retirement and disability benefits for former NFL players who retired before 1959 (‘Pre-59ers’). The Association transitioned in the mid-1970s to a charitable organization primarily focused on promoting the game of football and providing assistance to alumni in dire need. Harry Carson’s impactful Pro Football Hall of Fame induction speech was the catalyst to recreate and refocus the Association on the myriad of issues facing retired NFL players. The Association’s mission is to secure greater health and medical benefits for alumni as well as to implement programs and services which improve the quality of life of retired football players. In addition, the Association looks to retain its heritage of supporting local and national charitable initiatives. The ‘new’ Association was charted in May 2009 as a nonprofit and tax-exempt labor organization under Section 501(c)(5) of the Internal Revenue Service. The first Executive Director was hired in October of 2009. The Association membership body is comprised of former NFL players and their spouses.
Source: Midwest Dairy Council