Action for Healthy Kids Announces 2017 Healthy School Hero Award Winners

Chicago, – PRNewswire-USNewswire –  Action for Healthy Kids (AFHK) announces the 2017 Healthy School Hero Award winners, recognized for their work to improve health, nutrition and physical activity among students nationwide. Since 2004, AFHK has recognized educators, parents, health professionals and community leaders for their exceptional dedication and service towards the vision, mission and goals of AFHK—to make every kid healthy, active and ready to learn – through volunteer work in their schools and communities.

This year's 12 winners were nominated by their peers as driving forces behind school wellness initiatives. They represent the many faces of individuals across the country helping to create healthier school environments for students today, from food service directors to PE teachers to principals and parent volunteers. The winners are:

  • Joshua Bain, Foodservice Manager, Corrigan-Camden Elementary School, Moscow, Texas
  • Sandy Bristow, Program Director, Fort Bend ISD, Katy, Texas
  • Carrie Coyner, School Board Member, Chesterfield County Public Schools, Chesterfield, Va.
  • Laure Dejeant, Parent, Celebration K-8, Celebration, Fla.
  • Angie Ellis, PE Teacher, Washington K-1 Elementary School, Tiffin, Ohio
  • Deborah Feinsinger, Teacher, Palm Beach County Schools, Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.
  • Becky Rinker, Parent, Curtisville Primary School, Gibsonia, Penn.
  • Michelle Selb-Sack, Parent, Otter Lake Elementary School, White Bear Lake, Minn.
  • Rachel Silber, Parent, Hollywood Hills High School, Hollywood, Fla.
  • Jonathan Vasquez, Superintendent, Los Nietos School District, Whittier, Calif.
  • Scott Williams, PE Teacher, Meriwether Lewis Elementary School, Charlottesville, Va.
  • Wendy Woodland, Principal, West Jefferson Elementary School, Bailey, Colo.

"We are inspired by the thousands of committed and passionate volunteers who go above and beyond their call of duty to help create healthier learning environments for the nation's 50 million students," said Rob Bisceglie, CEO of Action for Healthy Kids. "It is always difficult to choose the winners from so many outstanding nominees. These individuals are exemplary in their efforts to affect change in their schools and communities to ensure students are healthy and ready to learn each day."

Read the stories of this year's winners at ActionforHealthyKids.org/Heroes2017, and learn how to volunteer in your own school, apply for a grant, start a wellness program and create a healthier school environment at ActionforHealthyKids.org and ParentsforHealthyKids.org.

Featured

  • The Impact of School Security on Student Well-Being

    One of the most fundamental human requirements, as outlined in Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, is the provision of basic needs: food, shelter, and clothing. In school, this hierarchy of needs shifts to include the need for physical, mental, and emotional safety. The student mind is not biologically wired to deal with the negative impacts of unsafe environments, which implies that security has a major impact on student well-being.

  • New Jersey High School Debuts Auditorium Renovation, Technical Upgrades

    Plainfield High School in Plainfield, N.J., recently completed a series of construction projects including an auditorium renovation, a new eSports gaming arena, and a black-box theater, according to a news release. The school partnered with PureTek Group to install the Pliant Technologies CrewCom professional wireless intercom system.

  • Pfluger Architects Hires New Higher Ed Practice Leader

    Pfluger Architects, based in Houston, Texas, recently announced Christopher Laack as its new higher education practice leader, according to a news release. Laack has more than 20 years of experience as a licensed architect and most recently served as the Principal and Commercial Practice Leader for VLK Architects.

  • Education Design Showcase

    Spaces4Learning Launches 2025 Education Design Showcase

    Spaces4Learning is now accepting submissions for the 2025 Education Design Showcase! Launched in 1999, the program celebrates innovative and practical solutions in planning, design, and construction.