First annual Michigan Fuel Up to Play 60 Student Ambassador Summit empowers students to promote in-school wellness, healthy eating and increased physical activity
Students representing 14 Michigan Fuel Up to Play 60 schools will tackle a comprehensive day-long leadership training program alongside former Detroit Lions wide receiver and four-time Pro Bowl player Herman Moore and the team's youth coaches August 6 at Ford Field in Detroit. The first annual Michigan Fuel Up to Play 60 Student Ambassador Summit is designed to boost and strengthen enthusiasm among student leaders for enhancing and speaking up publicly on behalf of implementing in-school wellness initiatives. The day's game plan will include learning firsthand from a panel of influential leaders who will share their personal stories of success and insight on steps to follow for achieving greatness. Students will hear from Elizabeth Parkinson, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Partnerships for the Detroit Lions; Jeff Scheibel, President and Chief Executive Officer of YMCA Metropolitan Lansing; Rina Risper, President and Publisher of The New Citizens Press; and Herman Moore, entrepreneur and former Detroit Lions wide receiver and four-time Pro Bowl player. The team of 2015-16 Michigan State FFA officers will conduct an interactive activity focused on enhancing leadership and character skills, and Doreen Simonds, Food Service Director for Waterford Schools, will share tips for collaborating with school food service directors to enhance their Fuel Up to Play 60 initiatives.
WOOD/WOTV personality Maranda will help expand the students' on-camera skills in preparation for vocalizing key messages about developing and implementing healthy eating and increased physical activity initiatives, and Michigan State University (MSU) Extension Leadership and Civic Engagement Leader Makena Schultz will share expertise on capturing photos and writing captions to tell personal stories.
Participants will also be treated to a healthy tailgate-theme lunch and take part in running through the Detroit Lions tunnel onto the playing field with Detroit Lions youth coaches, Moore and the Detroit Lions mascot Roary.
"Students implementing Fuel Up to Play 60 were selected by their adult peers for their efforts in leading healthy changes at school. These students will be given the tools to strengthen their voices and present their ideas to key stakeholders in the community going forward. These students are the leaders of tomorrow," says Brianna Banka, MS, RDN, School Wellness Specialist at the United Dairy Industry of Michigan.
The 2015 Michigan Fuel Up to Play 60 Student Ambassador Summit is sponsored by the Detroit Lions, Michigan Department of Education, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Michigan State University Extension and the United Dairy Industry of Michigan.
The Fuel Up to Play 60 in-school nutrition and physical activity program empowers young people to work with school decision makers to plan and implement strategies for increasing the amount of healthy food choices and physical activity options available in their schools. The Fuel Up to Play 60 program is offered by the National Football League and the National Dairy Council.
8.6.2015