RMS Student and Nurse Attend FUTP 60 Student Ambassador Summit

FUTP Student Ambassador Summit a Success!!

From July 10 through July 14 Rachael Odhiambo, an 8th grade student from Rogers Middle School and myself were invited to attend the Fuel Up to Play 60 Student Ambassador Summit in Charlotte, NC.  Along with about 50 other students from 47 different states, Rachael, who was named one of five National Ambassadors, and I attended the Summit to learn what other students and Program Advisors are doing across the country to promote healthy living and being active.  It was not all fun and games as we were in meetings and activities from 7AM-9:30PM each day. Student Ambassadors (SA) and Program Advisors attended separate sessions with SA's focusing on leadership, planning, speaking and building a better team. Rachael and several other students were asked to be in the new FUTP 60 video promoting active and healthy lifestyles among children to be shown on NFL commercials.  Students were able to interact with Carolina Panthers players Steve Smith, Ben Hartsock and Luke Kuechly while exercising and playing games, even with the rain. 

Along with Program Advisors from across the country I attended meetings in order to learn ways to promote the FUTP 60 Program (sponsored by the National Dairy Council and the NFL) in order to fight childhood obesity.  Training sessions for PA's included using research to support change, planning events, getting people excited and building a good team. One of the more serious discussions was about food insecurity and the fact that many children are not able to eat healthy due to low or reduced income.  Food insecurity is one of the reasons it is vitally important for schools to serve a healthy variety of foods and that all children have the opportunity to eat at school.  Representatives from NFL Community Relations Teams (special thanks Nicole Woodie from the Rams for making the trip to Charlotte) helped to inspire students to think outside the box for problem solving and tips for helping kids to alleviate food insecurity. 

Needless to say, Rachael and I learned a lot, met many wonderful and supportive people, and will bring many new ideas to RMS this fall.  We would like to thank the NFL (specifically the Rams and the Carolina Panthers), the Midwest and National Dairy Council and the Fuel Up to Play Initiative for such a worthwhile and rewarding experience.