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

  • California High School Opens New Classroom Building for 7th-, 8th-Graders

    Santa Rosa City Schools in Santa Rosa, Calif., recently announced the completion of a new classroom building for Piner High School. As the campus transitions to a Junior/Senior High School, the facility will play home to the school’s new population of seventh- and eighth-grade students.

  • Minnesota District Converts Middle School into Community Hub

    White Bear Lake Area Schools in White Bear Lake, Minn., recently announced the end of a major renovation project that converted a former middle school into a new centralized district and community hub, according to a news release.

  • Charles R. Drew University Opens Health Professions Education Building

    Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science (CDU) has officially opened its new Health Professions Education Building (HPEB) in South Los Angeles.