Setting Goals for My Fuel Up to Play 60 Program

At the Fuel Up to Play 60 Summit this year, I learned much more about Fuel Up to Play 60 and everything it stands for; especially that it is led by students themselves! It was amazing to see so many kids all working towards the same goal of promoting a healthy lifestyle through healthy eating and physical activity.

Funded by Dairy Farmers and supported by the NFL, there is no better organization to put your time and effort into because of its rewards and the positive impact it has on your school and community! I have learned that through teamwork, anything is possible. So much more can be done with a team than by yourself. This is why I want to strengthen the FUTP 60 team at my school. With only 3 current members, a much bigger impact could be made if more people joined. I also learned that I and anyone else has so much potential if we are committed and determined to what we set our minds to. There were so many amazing kids and young adults (especially in the FUTP 60 Youth Council) who were and still are making such big, positive impacts in their schools and communities. It was incredible to see, and they are amazing leaders and role models.

During the Summit we were split into separate teams and spent most of the time with them. My team grew a very strong bond, and even today we are in a group chat supporting and encouraging each other to stay active with FUTP 60 and make an impact in our schools. But even though we were on separate teams during the Summit, as one Youth Council leader pointed out, we are all one, young, strong team with great leaders who can make a difference in this world to make it healthier and more physically active, and it starts within our own schools and communities.

Along with strengthening the FUTP 60 team at my school, I also aspire to have healthier and better tasting food in our cafeteria. I hope to do a taste test at my school and hold a vote to change the type of food provided in my school. I also think there should be a salad bar or maybe a yogurt bar with fruits and granola in the cafeteria. I also got the idea from a Program Advisor at the Summit to get one or two of the smoothie blenders powered by a bike, so students can get physical activity and have healthy foods like a fruit smoothie at the same time!

FUTP 60 has already greatly impacted my school through the grants they provide which allowed making a Vegetable Tower Garden and providing fun physical activities in and out of school, because high schools don’t have recess. It would also be so cool to have sport tournaments like badminton, ping pong, basketball or soccer after the school day at my school. With so many ideas and goals, I am pumped up for the school year and I can’t wait to get my school FUELED UP for Fuel Up to Play 60!

John
Illinois State Ambassador
11th Grade