K21 Foundation Recognizes Local Health Initiative By WCHS Seniors
Posted
Staff Report-
On June 5, the K21 Foundation announced it is providing one-time special scholarships to Warsaw Community High School graduating seniors Megan Davis and Kylie Dishman for their efforts in researching, developing and implementing the "Tri-BEST Fitness Fun" after-school program at Leesburg Elementary School.Rich Haddad, president of K21 Foundation said, "Our foundation's mission includes 'advancing healthy lifestyles.' We are seeing more weight and health problems with children, so any efforts being made to address this concern are very important. To see Megan and Kylie proactively create a new program for kids in our community is not only very impressive, but should be a strong example to all of us."
The Tri-BEST Fitness Fun program was offered to all Leesburg Elementary students as an after-school program that provided fitness games and healthy snacks. It was 100 percent student led, as 10-12 students served as kid counselors.
"The program has to be fun for the kids to engage. But once you make it fun, a lot of learning can take place," said Dishman.
"When we gave them the healthy snacks, such as fruit, cheese and carrots, we talked about how these were different than the snacks they were getting at home and why the choices they make are important," said Davis.
The students also indicated it was a team effort.
"Without help from the Leesburg community, various donations, and the Leesburg principal, we could not have made this program possible," agreed Davis and Dishman.
These graduating seniors were part of the Cooperative Occupational Family and Consumer Sciences Cooperative Education Program at the high school, which required them to completely develop a project from the ground up. Rebecca Snyder was their teacher at the school.
"These young ladies showed amazing initiative, motivation and passion in carrying out their project. Once they committed to the idea, it was a pleasure to be a part of their accomplishment," said Snyder.
She also indicated that Davis and Dishamn won first place in Family, Careers and Community Leaders of America state competition and will be representing Indiana by presenting their program at the FCCLA 2008 National Leadership Meeting July 13-17 in Orlando, Fla.
The scholarship awards for these students will assist in their future plans in pursuing their interest in health areas. Davis is planning on studying biochemistry (pre-physical therapy) at St. Joseph College, and Dishman is planning to attend University of Southern Indiana to study biology (pre-podiatry).
Haddad summed it up by saying, "These girls' efforts are what K21 is all about and wants to support financially. My hope is that this program can be sustained and expand in the future to impact more kids and parents to better understand and commit to healthy lifestyles."
