Pulling together a dynamic health collaborative, The Tampa Bay Lightning Foundation and BlueCross BlueShield of Florida designed and funded an 18-week course for the sixth grade boys and girls that complemented their fall running program initiated by The Lightning Foundation.  The Children’s Board of Hillsborough County also contributed funds for the course.  Kicking off with a student knowledge assessment, students gobbled up both the healthy snacks and the healthy living know-how shared by an incredible group of partner volunteers and staff.

Students:

• Received, along with one family member, running shoes from Feet First with a visit from the ThunderBug, which provided pedometers;
• Learned about life-long health nutrition and health goal setting from Cindy Coney, Monarch Consulting and JoAnn Loiselle, dietitian;  
• Discovered amazing facts about bone health and meal planning with MORE HEALTH;
• Practiced cutting-edge exercise methods such as ZUMBA with the YMCA and Nordic Walking with Tim Arem;
• Explored Moffitt Cancer Research Center Labs;
• Received a health assessment from Tampa General Hospital;
• Cooked meals for their parents with Let’s Eat!;
• Completed warm-up exercises before each Fit Families’ class and visited the Central City YMCA staff, who also hosted special activities at its fabulous facility;
• Received coaching from one of Tampa’s premiere curriculum designers, Robin Gonzalez; and
• Attended, with their families, a special reception at a Lightning game to thank BlueCross BlueShield of Florida and other collaborative partners.

“This is one of the most impactful extracurricular activities
provided to us by the community.”

— Lincoln Tamayo,
Head of School 

Students and families will conclude this incredible course with two additional sessions during June.  Each child received a Fit Families memory book with healthy snack recipes, their health goals and important know-how from each session, and were presented individual professional portraits.

“This is one of the most impactful extracurricular activities provided to us by the community,” Lincoln Tamayo, Head of School, reports.  “Nancy Crane, The Lightning Foundation Executive Director, recruited dedicated and bright people who ensure that our students see the connection between healthy choices and a successful life.  The course helps us meet our science standards.  We are extremely pleased and honored that BlueCross BlueShield of Florida became the major sponsor along with The Lightning Foundation and The Children’s Board.  Needless to say, our students are showing staff and their families what they have learned and our younger students are already looking forward to participating next year.”

Thanks to all the Fit Families’
Partners for their commitment
to ensure Academy Prep
students live healthy for life!