Two students at W.C. Britt Elementary recently took a national stand in favor of healthy lifestyles.
The fifth-graders --- Ryan Pike and Tatiana Wayne---- traveled to Washington, D.C., last week to talk to members of Congress about what their school is doing to promote exercise and healthy eating. They were among 20 children participating in the national outreach sponsored by the Alliance for a Healthier Generation's Healthy Schools Program.
Last summer, Britt Elementary received a Bronze Award from the alliance for its efforts in promoting nutrition and fitness at school.
"We offer vegetarian choices," said Beverly Todd-Lee, principal of Britt Elementary. "We offer [physical education]. We have an exercise class for teachers."
Tatiana invited members of Congress to visit Britt to see the school's programs first-hand.
"I would like for them to see the healthy things we are eating and the games we play," she said. "Some of them said they would try to make it."
Tatiana and Ryan qualified for the trip by writing essays on "Eating My Way to a Healthy Lifestyle."
"If you don't take care of your body now there is a greater chance of being overweight as well as having other medical problems when you are older," Ryan wrote in his winning essay. "Eating healthy types of food is also important in keeping fit."
The students traveled to Washington with Rodney Wayne, the school health specialist who was hired three years ago to coordinate the wellness effort. Since then, the variety of vegetarian selections has increased at the school.
Wayne encourages students in all of his classes to try them. Students even helped him plant a vegetable garden outside his classroom.
Wayne launched an after-school program offering physical activity for kids. He works the after-school program for free.
"I am able to reach them at such a young age," Wayne said, adding that his students spread the message of healthy eating to their families.
"When my name comes up at the dinner table, I really feel my message is getting across."
Copyright 2008 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution