Rogers Middle School Named National Fuel Up to Play 60 Touchdown Dance Challenge Winners « Back

Students to receive visit from an NFL player during an upcoming assembly

SAINT LOUIS [September 24, 2012] – Rogers Middle School cheerleaders Reja Franklin and Maria Stoencheva helped their school earn national recognition by winning Fuel Up to Play 60’s Touchdown Dance Challenge, earning a visit from an NFL player at an upcoming school assembly. Fuel Up to Play 60 is an in-school nutrition and physical activity program provided in partnership with Midwest Dairy Council and the Saint Louis Rams that encourages students to eat healthy, be active and implement positive, healthy changes at school.

The Touchdown Dance Challenge encouraged students to create their own touchdown dance or signature move. Students from across the country entered the contest by uploading a video, photo or essay demonstrating their participation in the Challenge to FuelUpToPlay60.com. Five national finalists were selected, with online voters choosing Rogers Middle School as the winner. As a result of their efforts, Rogers students will receive a school visit from an NFL player where they will have the opportunity to showcase the winning dance.

“It's exciting to have the national Fuel Up to Play 60 Touchdown Dance Challenge winner here in St. Louis,” said Courtney Corbett, Midwest Dairy Council program manager. “Rogers Middle School is a perfect example of how Fuel Up to Play 60 can really have an impact. This school has received a great deal of recognition for their efforts and will now enjoy a visit from an NFL player as a reward for their achievements.”

Fuel Up to Play 60 has several Challenges that youth can get involved in throughout the year. Each Challenge focuses on a different aspect of the program and provides the opportunity for students to collaborate with their peers to showcase what they have learned about “fueling up” with nutrient-rich foods, like fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat and fat-free dairy foods, and “playing” for at least 60 minutes every day.

“I’m so proud of the team members who took the initiative to help us complete this Challenge during summer break, and of the entire community for their support,” said Kathy Beezley, Fuel Up to Play 60 program advisor for Rogers Middle School. “We’re looking forward to hosting an NFL player to reward our students for all of their hard work and enthusiasm for Fuel Up to Play 60 – it will mean so much to them.”   

Students and teachers can view Rogers Middle School’s winning submission and learn more about future Fuel Up to Play 60 Challenges by visiting www.FuelUpToPlay60.com.

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Midwest Dairy Council®, an affiliate of National Dairy Council, is the nutrition education division of Midwest Dairy Association. The Council is dedicated to dairy nutrition research and education through the investment of more than 9,500 dairy farm families across 10 Midwestern states, and is committed to child health and wellness through our collaborative program, Fuel Up to Play 60. For more information, visit www.midwestdairy.com. Follow us on Twitter and find us on Facebook at Midwest Dairy.

About Fuel Up to Play 60
Fuel Up to Play 60 is an in-school nutrition and physical activity program launched by National Dairy Council (NDC) and National Football League (NFL), with additional partnership support from U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The program encourages youth to consume nutrient-rich foods (low-fat and fat-free dairy, fruits, vegetables and whole grains) and achieve at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day.

Fuel Up to Play 60 is designed to engage and empower youth to take action for their own health by implementing long-term, positive changes for themselves and their schools. Customizable and non-prescriptive program components are grounded in research with youth, including tools and resources, in-school promotional materials, a website and student challenges. Fuel Up to Play 60 is further supported by several health and nutrition organizations: Action for Healthy Kids, American Academy of Family Physicians, American Academy of Pediatrics, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, National Hispanic Medical Association, National Medical Association and School Nutrition Association. Visit FuelUpToPlay60.com to learn more.

About National Dairy Council
National Dairy Council® (NDC) is the nutrition research, education and communications arm of Dairy Management Inc™. NDC provides science-based nutrition information to, and in collaboration with, a variety of stakeholders committed to fostering a healthier society, including health professionals, educators, school nutrition directors, academia, industry, consumers and media. Established in 1915, NDC is dedicated to educating the public on the health benefits of consuming milk and milk products throughout a person’s lifespan. For more information, visit NationalDairyCouncil.org.

About NFL PLAY 60
Designed to help tackle childhood obesity, NFL PLAY 60 brings together the NFL’s long-standing commitment to health and fitness with partner organizations like the National Dairy Council. NFLPLAY 60 is also implemented locally, as part of the NFL's in-school, after-school and team-based programs. For more information, visit NFLRush.com. © 2012 NFL Properties LLC. All NFL-related trademarks are trademarks of the National Football League.