Seminole Middle School Students Celebrate Fuel Up to Play 60

The Dairy Council of Florida joined Tampa Bay Buccaneer mascot and cheerleaders at Seminole Middle School yesterday to help students kick off the restart of Fuel Up to Play 60.  The program is provided by the Dairy Council of Florida and the NFL and empowers students to make changes at school that will help them “get active and play” for 60 minutes a day and “fuel up” with critical nutrient-rich foods that are often missing from their diets.

Cheerleaders from the Bucs answered questions from the students about how many hours a day they practice, the types of food they eat and how they stayed healthy in middle school.  Bucs cheerleader Stephanie told the students that she liked to eat whole grains, low-fat dairy, fruits and vegetables and stayed healthy in middle school by riding her bike to and from school.  Bucs cheerleader Rochelle said they practice 6 hours a week but kids can get 60 minutes of exercise a day by walking their dog, playing dodge ball or rollerblading.

Because Fuel Up to Play 60 is a youth-led wellness program, every school has a student ambassador team who works with adult leaders in the school to make kid-appealing, nutrient-rich foods like low-fat chocolate milk, yogurt and fruit parfaits and salad bars more available.  They also create opportunities for daily physical activity, such as noon walking clubs and after-school sports and dance clubs.  During the assembly Seminole Middle school recognized its “Fuel Up to Play 60” student ambassador team and applauded their efforts to keep the student body fit.

Healthy snacks like yogurts, cheese sticks and low-fat milk were available to the students and Bucs’ mascot, Capt. Fear, was on site to excite the students about the program and getting active.

For more information on the Fuel Up to Play 60 program, visit www.fueluptoplay60.com.