Schools Recognized For Physical Fitness Innovation

Winners awarded Live Positively Fitness Centers by National Foundation for Governors' Fitness Councils 

Gov. Nathan Deal and Chairman of the National Foundation for Governors' Fitness Councils Jake Steinfeld announced last week the three winning schools that will each receive a state-of-the-art Live Positively Fitness Center as part of the National Champion Schools campaign.

This multimillion dollar physical fitness campaign has named Harper Archer Middle School and C.L. Gideons Elementary School, both in Atlanta, and Berkmar Middle School in Lilburn as the winning schools for demonstrating new and innovative ways for promoting student physical activity and wellness. The new fitness centers will be dedicated at ribbon-cutting ceremonies this fall.

"This is an exciting day for Georgia students," said Deal. "Improving the health of our children is one of my top priorities and increasing the availability of physical activity opportunities will help ensure that our children are getting the exercise their bodies need to learn and develop into healthy adults. I support Jake Steinfeld's vision of helping Georgians get fit. These new fitness centers will help lead us down the path toward a bright and healthy future."

"These three schools have worked hard to bring innovative fitness ideas to their students and it's paid off. I'm pleased to award each of these schools with a new Live Positively Fitness Center that will allow all of their students the opportunity to add physical fitness activities into their daily routine and put them on the road to being fit and healthy," said Jake "Body by Jake" Steinfeld. "I've always said that academics and fitness go hand in and hand and believe that if you provide the schools with the tools, students will excel beyond their wildest dreams. Not only will these students be healthier, but they'll also have increased confidence, improved self-esteem and will achieve greater academic success."

The National Foundation's goal is to build a nation of the fittest, healthiest kids in the world. Physical activity and exercise are shown to help prevent and treat more than 40 chronic diseases, enhance individual health and quality of life and reduce health care costs. In schools, studies show that physical activity improves academic achievement, increases confidence and self-esteem, reduces discipline problems, cuts absenteeism and fosters better interpersonal relationships.

The National Foundation for Governors' Fitness Councils program plans to bring its challenge to all 50 states in the coming years. An attractive and unique feature of this campaign is that the Live Positively Fitness Centers are fully funded through public/private partnerships and does not rely on taxpayer dollars or state funding. Live Positively is part of Coca-Cola's commitment to bring people together to make a positive difference, which includes supporting physical activity programs.

For more information about the National Foundation, visit www.nationalgovcouncil.org. 

 -Story by Bill Bradley, National Foundation for Governors' Fitness Councils