Midwest Dairy Council announced Katie Osmundson of Robert Frost Elementary in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, was selected to serve as a National Student Ambassador for Fuel Up to Play 60’s Student Ambassador Program. Fuel Up to Play 60, an in-school nutrition and physical activity program created in partnership with National Dairy Council and the National Football League, encourages students to eat healthy, be active and implement positive healthy changes at school.

Osmundson is one of nine students across the country to hold this position, the highest-level student leadership position the Fuel Up to Play 60 program offers, during the 2011-2012 school year. National Student Ambassadors will generate ideas and provide feedback on the program, offer suggestions for the Student Ambassador Program, serve as youth spokespeople and help plan a year-end event.

Additionally, the following students in the Midwest, along with 28 students nationwide, were selected to serve as state representatives for Fuel Up to Play 60:
• Bailey Aanenson – Cheney Middle School in West Fargo, North Dakota;
• Logan Ahern – Cheney Middle School in West Fargo, North Dakota;
• Madeline Ganey – Northfield Middle School in Northfield, Minnesota;
• Hannah McCoy – St. John Nepomucene in Weston, Nebraska;
• James Simon – Academy of St. Benedict the African Stewart in Chicago, Illinois;
• Lesley Tenorio – Miguel Juarez Middle School in Waukegan, Illinois; and
• Jordan Turnwall – St. John Nepomucene in Weston, Nebraska.

Fuel Up to Play 60 State Representatives and National Student Ambassadors were selected in a nationwide search that drew thousands of applicants. Those chosen demonstrate a passion for taking control of their health and wellness, and encouraging their fellow students to do the same. Student Ambassadors are not only actively engaged and involved in Fuel Up to Play 60, but are leaders among their peers, working to improve physical fitness and nutrition habits within their schools.

Fuel Up to Play 60 is currently implemented in more than 72,000 schools nationwide. Within Midwest Dairy Council’s10-state service area, more than 9,400 schools participate in the program.

The Student Ambassador program empowers students to take action and spread the word to their peers about the importance of getting healthy.

“We could not be more impressed by the young people who have shown their dedication to helping improve health in their schools,” said Melissa Young, health and wellness director from Midwest Dairy Council. “The National Student Ambassador Program is really engaging students to lead and shape the program, and serve as role models to their peers.” PD

—From Midwest Dairy Council news release