Two classes of Meigs County Kindergarten students received a really fun, active reward for walking the most miles in the fall walking program. Monica Key’s class at Meigs South and Crystal Johnson’s class at Meigs North received a party at The Jumpin’ Shack for their efforts. Ms. Key’s class walked 676.8 miles and Ms. Johnson’s class walked 896.8 miles to win three hours of jumping, climbing and playing, complete with a healthy lunch.
“We are so proud of these Kindergarten students and the steps they have taken that will get them into a habit of being physically active for a lifetime,” said Connye Rowland, Coordinated School Health coordinator with Meigs County Schools. “They were rewarded with an active party to reinforce the idea that physical activity is lots of fun as well as healthy.”
Elementary students at Meigs South and Meigs North were eligible to participate in the walking program. For each mile walked, the students received a toe token to attach to their backpacks. Eight classrooms were rewarded with yogurt and fruit smoothies for their efforts. Over 700 students increased their physical activity levels by participating in the program.
Funding for the program came from a grant from the Appalachian Diabetes Control and Translation Project through Marshall University. Meigs Health Council applied for the grant because 34.2 percent of Meigs County adults are obese and 11.5 percent of Meigs County adults have been diagnosed with diabetes.
To learn more about the diabetes grant or to become involved in the Health Council, contact Beth Delaney at 634-1947.