September 27, 2007

Presentation High named one of 25 healthiest U.S. schools

The “Got milk?®” milk mustache marketing campaign, in association with the School Nutrition Association and the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, announced recently that Presentation High School has been selected as one of the 25 healthiest schools in the nation.

The recognition is a result of a nationwide search for America’s Healthiest Student Bodies – a national contest aimed at rewarding schools that go the extra mile to promote healthy lifestyles for their students in light of the teen obesity epidemic.

Teen obesity has tripled in the past two decades, raising the concern about what kids are eating. But, according to the new What America Drinks report, a new comprehensive analysis of U.S. beverage consumption by the ENVIRON International Corporation, the dramatic increase may be due in part to what they’re drinking. Soft drinks and other sugar-sweetened beverages are the leading source of liquid calories in the diets of adolescents and teens are drinking two to three times more nutrient-poor sugary drinks than milk, according to the report. The Healthiest Student Bodies program was created to draw attention to and help combat the nation’s growing teen obesity problem.

Ashley Samuel, student nominator, logged on to bodybymilk.com to nominate Presentation for the school’s emphasis on the students’ educational and physical development. Because of their commitment to encouraging students to maintain a healthy lifestyle, Presentation was chosen as a winner and is now among the elite roster of schools nationwide being rewarded for their dedication to providing healthy choices for students.

"Every school day the 40 million balanced meals provided through the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program provide the nutrition and energy students need to succeed academically," said Dora Rivas, vice president of the School Nutrition Association. "Each of the 25 Healthiest Student Bodies has shown a commitment to nurturing healthy lifestyle choices in its community and should be proud to be partners in the effort to promote a healthy childhood weight."

In recognition of the health champions at Presentation, the “Got milk?®” campaign will make a cross-country trek to San Jose on Wednesday, Oct. 3 to host a celebratory milk mustache assembly and present a $1,000 grant to support nutrition and physical activity programs that further aid in students’ health and wellness.

Additionally, student nominator Ashley Samuel will receive a prize package that includes gear from Adidas® and a gift card from iTunes®.

About the Healthiest Student Bodies program
The “Got milk?®” campaign’s Healthiest Student Bodies program recognizes 25 schools around the country that have proven their commitment to health and wellness. A panel of judges from the School Nutrition Association and the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports chose winning schools based on the relevance and creativity of the essay submission. These schools not only provide programs and initiatives to keep students fit, but they offer opportunities for students to take control of their own health.