nrg Success Stories
George A. Smith Middle School (Lancaster, PA)
Making it Happen: After attending the nrg Summit in September 2007, George A. Smith Middle School (Lancaster, PA) students were inspired to make healthy changes at their school. They started by working with the school administration to allow 20 minutes of the 45 minute lunch period for physical activity. They also worked with the school’s food service program to begin a "grab and go" breakfast program and wrote for and received grant funding to begin a fresh fruit and vegetable program during lunch periods. The students also held a fundraiser to purchase video, dance equipment that students can utilize during PE and lunch breaks.
Annville-Cleona Junior/Senior High School (Lebanon, PA)
Making it Happen: FCCLA students at Annville-Cleona Junior/Senior High School (Lebanon, PA) wanted to change the way people were eating at school; so the students advocated for more fresh fruits, removed salt shakers and labeled healthier food choices with "nrg" stickers. In an effort to create healthy role models, FCCLA students launched Better Body Buddies, reversing the role of students and teachers, and coached teachers to better health.
Read more about FCCLA students at Annville-Cleona Jr/Sr High School
Trinity High School (Camp Hill, PA)
Making it Happen: Students at Trinity High School enjoy fresh produce; so much so, they started a student-run garden. Through the efforts of environmental science students and family and consumer science students, Trinity High School's student garden is a year-round effort that includes planting and tending to the garden, composting, and harvesting.
Read about how Trinity High School students are enjoying fresh produce.
Rapping About Prevention presents "Fun, Food, and Fitness"
Making it Happen: Health Educator, Motivational Rap Artist and Rapping About Prevention CEO, Sterlen Bar educates, inspires, motivates and encourages youth to stay healthy and tobacco-free, by delivering a high-energy presentation using facts, humor, personal experience, audience participation, and a live rap performance.
This spring, he rocked the halls of three nrg Powered by Choice schools with his "Fun, Food, and Fitness" assemblies.
Manheim Central High School (Manheim, PA)
Making it Happen: More than 900 students at Manheim Central High School took part in "Frisbee Frenzee," a two-hour Ultimate Frisbee tournament, promoting school connectedness and new ideas for physical activity. Organized by Health and PE Teacher, Mark Schwartz, students spent a beautiful, warm May afternoon having fun and being active.
Park Forest Middle School (State College, PA)
Making it Happen: It's no surprise that students at Park Forest Middle School look forward to the week of standardized testing each year; their hard work in the classroom is rewarded with a multitude of great activities. During PSSA testing in April, 850 Park Forest Middle School students were given the opportunity to participate in a health fair featuring more than 46 local vendors and engage in fun, outdoor physical activities including capture the flag, tennis, beach volleyball, and more.
Keep reading to learn more about Park Forest Middle School's healthy living activities.
Boyertown High School (Boyertown, PA)
Making it Happen: Three years ago, nrg advisors Barb Furman and Stephanie Petri began the 'nrg Challenge' at Boyertown High School. Momentum continues to build for this eight-week program that divides students into teams to compete with one another to capture the most minutes of physical activity.
Galeton Area High School (Galeton, PA)
Making it Happen: At Galeton Area High School, nrg students are active all year long. Students implemented a healthy drink machine, which was popular throughout the year. The students also held two tournaments - volleyball and Frisbee, and ran concession stands selling healthy snacks and drinks. Galeton students also shared their message of healthy living with the younger students by holding two contests for elementary-age youth.
McConnellsburg Middle/High School (McConnellsburg, PA)
Making it Happen: At McConnellsburg Middle/High School, the Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) club used nrg Powered by Choice as a fundraising tool and as an opportunity to plan and organize activities in the school. With help from a Highmark Healthy School Challenge Grant and an Active Schools Grant (awarded by the Pennsylvania Departments of Health and Education), the school has replaced soda with water and a healthy breakfast and snack program was implemented, among other policy and curriculum changes.
Read more about McConnelsburg SADD club's healthy activities.
Rock L. Butler Middle School (Wellsboro, PA)
Making it Happen: Every morning at Rock L. Butler Middle School, more than 220 students participate in a 15-minute walking program. Just prior to first period, students are led outside to a 1/3 mile path and walk with peers and teachers.
Yough Middle School (Ruffsdale, PA)
Making it Happen: At Yough Middle School, a leadership and mentoring program was put in place by nrg advisor Karen Ruddon. Eighth grade students were paired up with fifth graders to provide an additional avenue for students to interact with their peers. The mentors and mentees planned an Ultimate Frisbee tournament for May. Monthly meetings were held beginning in September and took place each month leading up to the tournament. Most importantly, students were taught how to be leaders and serve as role models to their peers.
