Sometimes things happen right beneath our noses, they sneak up on you. At the time I didn’t quite realize the effect Fuel Up to Play 60 would have on me or the journey it would take me on. But I am so undoubtedly grateful for it, I wouldn’t change a single thing. Here is a story of my adventure to get here.
All 800 students sat, packed up like sardines, sweaty and squished, gazing up with wide eyes, at the football player before us. It was Jordy Nelson, Green Bay Packers Wide Receiver. I was a 4th grade Packers fan, I mean at the time he was like a god to me. He was there to talk to us about a health and wellness program called Fuel Up to Play 60, and I soaked up every word he said. The program sounded fantastic, it was all about eating healthy and staying physically active, and I loved both of those things. Then I heard prizes were involved, and it was set in stone. I was going to join this program, and I was going to make a difference. And I did, but what I didn’t know was how big of a difference it would make in me. However, this was just the beginning.
A year later my Program Advisor burst into my 5th grade classroom, startling us. “I have a big announcement to make,” she said, “Grace has been selected out of hundreds of students to represent Wisconsin as the Fuel Up to Play 60 State Ambassador!” I was stunned. The class cheered, and then my gym teacher also stated that that summer I would be traveling to North Carolina with her to attend the National Student Ambassador Summit! I was totally shocked. Just a second ago I was only a 5th grader, and now I had this huge responsibility, but I wouldn’t let anyone down, I would be the best Ambassador I could be.
I attended the Summit that year, and without truly realizing it, it changed me. It taught me a greater independence and leadership than I’d ever had before. We were expected to work as a team, and solve our problems together, rely on ourselves to make that difference. I also learned a great deal on kindness. I talked to people who weren’t as fortunate as me and I saw what life was really like for others. I realized how much I took things for granted, I wasn’t thankful for what I had, and right then and there I stopped. I decided to savor every moment of every day, to make the most out of everything, and not get upset over the little things. I opened my arms up to people, decided to stop judging, and to love.
Continuing on through that year I had a lot going on. I had a photo shoot with Jordy Nelson, I had several speeches, I held activities, and even got to be featured on national television on ABC’s The Chew to talk about the program. But the biggest event was being selected again, to represent the country as a Fuel Up to Play 60 National Ambassador! I was unbelievably ecstatic about this, and not because I had been given this label, but because I could continue leading and inspiring others. Along with that I would be traveling to Texas for the new 2014 Student Ambassador Summit! I now had an even bigger responsibility, but I was ready. I now had the tools I needed to lead, inspire, and make a difference
As the National Ambassador, I was busy. Writing emails, going to meetings, planning, giving speeches, and I even got interviewed by a local radio show! But this year’s Student Ambassador Summit in Texas, topped it all off. I am being honest and absolutely genuine, when I say that those 3 days were the best of my life. I was on the move, constantly working and coming up with ideas all day long. When I was there I felt right at home, the people I met were the kindest, most heartwarming, animated people I had ever been with, and I got to experience what life was like all over the country from them. I helped other newcomers grow and expand their leadership knowledge, and they helped to grow mine. Everyone was included, all of us had our own piece to the puzzle, and everyone was needed to solve it. We had so much fun, made so many memories, and formed an unbreakable bond between us. When it was time for us to all leave, and go back home, I could taste the bittersweet sadness on my tongue. These people, although I had only known them for a couple of days, changed my life forever, and I will never, never forget them. I was heartbroken to have to leave, but I know that if there was ever a time in which I needed them, they’d be there for me, and I for them. We had been through a lot together, changed each other’s lives, and helped each other be the best we could be, I loved them.
Fuel Up to Play 60 molded me into the person I am today. I’m a better leader, I’m smarter, happier, and a whole lot nicer than I’ve ever been before. I inspire others, and they inspire me, to make a difference in the world around me. I couldn’t have ever predicted the series of events that led me to where I am today. It all started with a small idea, and because they worked as a team and believed in each other, they made that dream come true, and turned it into something incredible. That’s what I like to hear, that is what I promote to others. I want everyone to at least get a whiff of what it’s like to be a part of that kind of movement.
Just choose to do something you wouldn’t usually do, just smile, I dare you, it’ll be fun. So here I am at the end of this story, but like I said before, this is merely the beginning.
Grace
National Ambassador
Wisconsin
7th Grade
This story was so inspiring! My goal is to help the world be a better place, I try to stay as active and healthy as I can. I’m going to give a presentation to the 3rd 4th and 5th
graders at my school about fuel up to play 60!
This story changed my goals, Ill try not only try to make the 3rd 4th and 5th graders stay healthy staying active and helping the world, but i’m going to try to make the WORLD a better place! Thanks grace- Sam B.
cool
I love fuel up to play 60, but I don’t know how to earn more points.
I don’t know how to earn points but the story is really inspiring!
I love it! Awesome idea!!!!
Perfect
I got 11,082
you happy right
you get points by tracer and you get 250 and then you go to activate and you get 750 so you go to mini lessen and read and go to lessen 2 and read and you see find out at the last one it is in red and get 2,017 and edit your team.
you like my help.
i love that sam.
so you lessen to me.
me too
cool
People need to get up and get active!
I love fuel up to play 60 and i won $150 dollars
Thx grace for your experiences that you had showed us and i rrally learned about you a little and me too i wanted to talk infront of people too and i like playing volly ball with my friends too and i hope i can see you and hey i have 83.344 points i trying all my best to get high like you grace and thx for telling us about you and what you wanted to do so thx i happy for you 😀
I think your thing is so cool and I am just sing up to do it and ym going to do the thangs we have to do so I can get more active
That was so GOOD!
I think that’s interesting in all sorts of other ways
This is cool!
You made we to do more thangs