The Generation with Promise program promotes a healthy lifestyle to kids in 16 Michigan schools. Students are motivated to eat right, exercise, and stay smoke-free. It is making a difference at Fair Plain Renaissance Middle School in Benton Harbor. (WSBT photo)
Story Created:
Sep 15, 2009 at 4:50 AM EST
Story Updated:
Sep 15, 2009 at 10:37 AM EST
BENTON HARBOR — A program in Michigan is reaching out to middle school kids, trying to promote healthy living.
A Kellogg Foundation grant funds the Generation with Promise program, which promotes a healthy lifestyle to kids in 16 schools. Students are motivated to eat right, exercise and stay smoke-free.
Each school gets $25,000 a year for four years to use toward exercise equipment, healthy food programs, or other activities. It is making a difference at Fair Plain Renaissance Middle School in Benton Harbor.
“Absolutely extraordinary, absolutely extraordinary,” said Freddie McGee, the school’s principal. “I don’t think we have any obesity around here because we’re promoting it.”
The school puts an emphasis on daily exercise. The staff is also trying to help students eat healthier by serving breakfast in the classroom every morning. The school lunch menu has also improved with a new salad bar option for students.
“I’m starting to eat more vegetables than I usually do,” said 8th grade student Cornelius Lewis. “I like more fruit than I used to, and I lessen down on junk food.”
“It helped me, because I eat well and exercise a lot,” added Damaree Bell, also in the 8th grade.
The program also pushes kids to stay smoke-free.
“It’s a problem,” says teacher Randy Miller. “With our kids, not as much, but as they get older it becomes a problem. By educating them early, we’re hoping to eliminate the problem at the source.”
McGee said he is very pleased with the program, which has been going on for three years. Teachers find kids are more aware of their decisions, and most are making good ones.
“If I don’t take care of myself, I could be like one of those people that’s sick and unhealthy, and I could like have diabetes or cancer too when I get older,” said 7th grader Tami Frazier. “That’s why I like to take care of myself.”
Michigan Surgeon General Dr. Kimberlydawn Wisdom visited the school recently to see the good results. She said the changes the students are making today will mean they will make healthier choices in the future, and that will have a lasting impact on the Benton Harbor community.
