Berkmar Middle Teacher Named 'Fuel Up to Play 60' Program Advisor of the Year

From the Southeast United Dairy Industry Association Inc.:

Dana Griffith, physical education teacher at Berkmar Middle School, has been named Georgia’s Fuel Up to Play 60 Program Advisor of the Year. Griffith takes an active leadership role in encouraging students to get active, eat healthy and make a difference.

Fuel Up to Play 60 (FUTP60) is an in-school nutrition and physical activity program developed by the National Dairy Council, the Southeast United Dairy Industry Association Inc. (SUDIA) and the National Football League (NFL), in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Nearly 73,000 schools are involved in FUTP60 nationwide.

Through the efforts of program advisors like Griffith, schools across the country are encouraging youth to consume nutrient-dense foods (milk, cheese, yogurt, fruits, vegetables and whole grains) and achieve at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day.

“We’re excited to recognize Dana’s leadership in the FUTP60 Program. She exhibits a perfect combination of enthusiasm and creativity to motivate students to join the FUTP60 team while encouraging healthy eating and physical activity,” said Sharon Rhodes, SUDIA Manager of School Health and Wellness.

In addition to encouraging students to get involved in FUTP60, program advisors help their schools and students earn recognition, rewards and funding to support wellness initiatives in their schools. Any adult enrolled in FUTP60 can become a program advisor.

“Over 90 percent of students have participated in two or more FUTP60 activities during the last two school years. After the first year of program implementation, daily milk and yogurt sales reached an all-time high at our school. So did student participation in the school breakfast program. Parents have been involved with our program through Fit Family Club and Healthy Eating Seminars. This has helped shape the culture of our school to be more focused on health enhancing behaviors,” said Griffith.

For more information on Fuel Up to Play 60 or to sign up for the program, visit www.FuelUpToPlay60.com or www.southeastdairy.org.

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About the Southeast Dairy Association
On behalf of dairy farm families, the non-profit Southeast United Dairy Industry Association, Inc. (SUDIA), works with schools, health professionals, retailers, dairy processors and the public to promote dairy foods. For more information, visit www.southeastdairy.org or contact Sharon Rhodes at 470-226-3005.