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

  • CU-Lock Haven Receives $1.75M Gift for New Entrepreneurship, Media Center

    Commonwealth University-Lock Haven in Lock Haven, Penn., recently received a $1.75-million donation from entrepreneur and alumnus Nicholas Subich ’17, according to a university news release. The funds will go toward establishing the Nicholas Subich Center for Entrepreneurship and Media, a technology-driven hub for innovation and experiential learning.

  • UT-San Antonio Begins Residence Hall Renovations

    The University of Texas at San Antonio recently began a $6-million renovation project to one of its residence halls, according to a news release. Originally completed in 1986, Chisolm Hall measures in at 120,860 square feet and is the oldest and largest residence hall on campus.

  • Cal Poly Humboldt Starts Construction on Healthcare Education Hub

    California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt in Arcata, Calif., recently announced that work has begun on a renovation project that will turn the Stewart Building into a new Healthcare Education Hub, according to a news release. The university is partnering with Sundt Construction Inc. for construction services.

  • How Proactive Maintenance Can Transform Athletic Facilities into Strategic Assets for College Sports

    College athletics is entering one of the most transformative periods in its history. With NIL reshaping financial models and competitive expectations, athletic departments across the country are being asked to do more than ever with increasingly constrained resources.