www.ny.gov - GOVERNOR PATERSON AND FIRST LADY MICHELLE PAIGE PATERSON CELEBRATE WINNERS OF HEALTHY STEPS TO ALBANY: FIRST LADY’S CHALLENGE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
May 18, 2009

GOVERNOR PATERSON AND FIRST LADY MICHELLE PAIGE PATERSON CELEBRATE WINNERS OF HEALTHY STEPS TO ALBANY: FIRST LADY’S CHALLENGE

Host More Than 160 Students from Syracuse, Albany and Yonkers at Executive Mansion Awards Luncheon

Governor David A. Paterson and First Lady Michelle Paige Paterson today hosted an awards luncheon at the Executive Mansion for the Syracuse, Albany and Yonkers winners of Healthy Steps to Albany: First Lady’s Challenge. More than 160 students joined the Governor and First Lady for a wholesome luncheon to celebrate their success and the completion of the program. The winners were also presented with new pairs of sneakers, donated by Kids in Distressed Situations, Inc. (K.I.D.S.) to encourage continued daily physical activity.

“Congratulations to our winners and to all the participants who demonstrated such commitment and enthusiasm throughout the six-week program,” First Lady Michelle Paige Paterson said. “Teaching our children about the benefits of exercise and whole foods is critical to the development of a health consciousness that will serve them throughout their lives. By encouraging our students to exercise and eat well, we ensure that they realize a safer, healthier, and more prosperous future.”

“Today we celebrate the millions of steps taken by New York’s children in the fight to end childhood obesity,” Governor Paterson said. “Thank you to the dedicated teachers, parents and healthcare professionals who understand that nutrition is not just a chapter in a science textbook, but a means to a happier, healthier life.”

Last month, the First Lady announced the winners of the wellness initiative she developed to help fight childhood obesity in New York State. Nearly 270 classes from Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Albany and Yonkers logged more than 1.4 billion steps by the end of the program and competed for a host of prizes, including a healthy lunch with the Governor and First Lady.

Today’s celebration honored the following teams from Syracuse, Albany and Yonkers:

District	School	Team Name	Grade	Teacher	Number of Steps
Albany	Giffen Memorial Elementary school	Dynamic Dobson	6	Caroline Dobson	15,013,482
Albany	Stephen and Harriet Myers Middle School	Team Backman	7	Cheryl Backman	20,215,700
Syracuse	Hughes Magnet School	Hawks	6	Heather Marzullo	23,175,620
Syracuse	Lincoln Middle School	Health	7	Kim Priest	16,883,659
Syracuse	Edward Smith School	Period 5	8	Bridget Shepard	76,352,507
Yonkers	Family School 32	Team 6S	6	Lisa Starkey	60,606,098
Yonkers	Robert C. Dodson	Hi-Tops	7	Joe Fitzgerald	24,544,830
Yonkers	Paideia School 15	The Amino Acids	8	Gregory DuSablon	75,116,866

The Governor and First Lady awarded each winning class a framed certificate of achievement. Then they joined students, teachers and program administers for a healthy luncheon of chicken and roasted vegetable wraps with fresh carrots, asparagus and radishes. Oatmeal raisin cookies, date-oat bars, fresh fruit tartlets and a fruit salad were served for dessert. Following the lunch, students were given a tour of the Executive Mansion.

The First Lady launched Healthy Steps to Albany: First Lady’s Challenge in her Harlem neighborhood and expanded the program in March. The six-week program teaches children about healthy habits like daily exercise and choosing wholesome foods.

The initiative is part of both the First Lady and Governor’s commitment to a healthier New York. Last week, First Lady Michelle Paige Paterson testified before Congress on the importance of childhood obesity programs like Healthy Steps in combating the obesity epidemic. On May 16, Governor Paterson unveiled the Healthy Food/Healthy Communities program that will provide loans to fresh food markets that locate in underserved areas throughout the State. The program will make nutritious foods available and affordable in areas where healthier options are severely limited. Earlier today, the Governor announced his proposed legislation to require calorie posting in restaurants, supermarkets and convenience stores that belong to large chains.

Additional information on Healthy Steps to Albany: First Lady’s Challenge is available at: http://www.healthystepstoalbany.ny.gov/. Information on Healthy Food/Healthy Communities is available at: http://www.ny.gov/governor/press/press_0516091_factsheet.html.