Waukegan student named Illinois representative for national wellness program

A Waukegan middle school student has been was selected to serve as an Illinois representative for the national in-school program, Fuel Up to Play 60.

Lesley Tenorio is among 35 students across the United States chosen for this leadership position. A second Illinois representative, James Simon, from the Academy of St. Benedict the African-Stewart in Chicago, was also named. Both were selected from a nationwide search.

Lesley is a seventh-grader at Miguel Juarez Middle School. She is involved in her school’s Fuel Up to Play 60 program every day; the school has a breakfast program and Lesley helps pack and deliver breakfast to her classmates.

She is also a student leader in academics and is interested in nutrition and physical activity — two key components to Fuel Up to Play 60.

“Fuel Up to Play positively affected my life because it has taught me that when I try, I can make a difference,” she wrote in her application. “Whenever I see one of my fellow pupils giving themselves a negative perspective, I do what I can to make them feel better. It is true that one kind word can go a long way.”

Fuel Up to Play 60 is an in-school nutrition and physical activity program launched by National Dairy Council and the National Football League in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It has been implemented in more than 72,000 schools nationwide.

The program encourages youth to eat low-fat and fat-free dairy foods, fruits, vegetables and whole grains and achieve 60 minutes of physical activity every day.

Tenorio and others chosen as Fuel Up to Play 60 state representatives and National Student Ambassadors demonstrate a passion for taking control of their health and wellness, and encouraging their fellow students to do the same.

Student ambassadors are not only actively engaged and involved in Fuel Up to Play 60, but are leaders among their peers, working to improve physical fitness and nutrition habits within their schools.

“We could not be more impressed by the young people who have shown their dedication to helping improve health in their schools,” said Melissa Young, health and wellness director from Midwest Dairy Council.

Visit FuelUpToPlay60.com.