FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 29, 2009

FIRST LADY MICHELLE PAIGE PATERSON ANNOUNCES WINNERS OF HEALTHY STEPS TO ALBANY: FIRST LADY’S CHALLENGE

Nearly 270 Classes from Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Albany and Yonkers “Walked” More Than 1.4 Billion Steps During 6-Week Fitness Challenge

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First Lady Michelle Paige Paterson today announced the winning classes of Healthy Steps to Albany: First Lady’s Challenge, the 6-week fitness initiative launched this spring in five cities across New York. Students in Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Albany and Yonkers were challenged to make exercise and healthy eating a part of their daily routine.

“This challenge showed our students how easily they can incorporate physical activity and nutritious eating into their daily lives,” First Lady Michelle Paige Paterson said. “As a health care professional, I have always believed that small changes add up to big results and, step by step, these students walked the equivalent of more than 1.4 billion steps in just six weeks. This was a low-cost way to fight the epidemic of childhood obesity that is threatening our children’s health. I want to thank the school districts and teachers who worked with us to bring this challenge to students, and look forward to bringing Healthy Steps to Albany to more students across New York.”

Healthy Steps to Albany: First Lady’s Challenge invited the participation of students in the 6th, 7th, and 8th grades. Nearly 270 classrooms took on the challenge and acted as teams. Student team-members logged their minutes of activity, using the “Healthy Steps” website to convert various exercises into steps. Each team tracked its step progress on a map of New York, making its way around the State. Winners will receive a variety of prizes, including a healthy lunch with the Governor and First Lady and a trip to a farm to learn about whole foods. The winners of the 2009 Healthy Steps to Albany: First Lady’s Challenge are:

Additional quotes in support of Healthy Steps to Albany: First Lady’s Challenge include:

Department of Health Commissioner Richard F. Daines, M.D. said: “I commend First Lady Michelle Paige Paterson for her commitment to improving our children’s health and applaud all the students who participated in Healthy Steps to Albany: First Lady’s Challenge. Addressing the widespread problem of obesity in our State begins with teaching our children about active and nutritious habits that will ultimately ensure they lead long, healthy lives.”

Senate Majority Leader Malcolm A. Smith said: “By incorporating exercise into their daily routines, children can live happier, healthier and more productive lives. I would like to thank First Lady Michelle Paige Paterson for her continued pursuit in fighting childhood obesity and to congratulate the winners of the Healthy Steps challenge. Teaching our children to take care of their bodies and minds by eating a proper diet and exercising regularly will ensure the future success of our youngest New Yorkers and the future of our State.”

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver said: “When a person makes a commitment to a healthy and active lifestyle early on, it is easier to continue on that path throughout the rest of his or her life. The kids awarded today are making important strides to maintaining physical fitness, proper nutrition and self-confidence. My congratulations to the students, teachers and parents who participated in the Healthy Steps initiative.”

Senator Neil D. Breslin said: “I commend all of the students who participated in this challenge and I congratulate the winning teams. I would also like to thank First Lady Michelle Paige Paterson for initiating this important challenge. Healthy eating and daily exercise is critical for the physical well-being of our society. It is important that young people develop these habits early on so that they live longer, healthier lives.”

Senator John A. DeFrancisco said: “I am extremely proud of the 7th graders from Lincoln Middle School who won this challenge, as well as all of the students in my district who participated. I hope that these students will walk away from the First Lady’s fun and interactive challenge with a new way of thinking and skills that will help them to lead healthier lives.”

Senator Tom Duane, Chair of the Senate Health Committee, said: “The Healthy Steps program has been a great success for students all across New York State. We all have a responsibility to take positive steps, big or small, for our health and fitness and it is inspiring to see the effort put forth by these students toward the goal of healthy living.”

Senator Antoine M. Thompson said: “Congratulations to the students that have completed this challenge. Exercise is an important part of life and learning that at a young age is essential to healthy living. Hopefully these kids will continue to take part in healthy activities even though the challenge is completed.”

Senator David J. Valesky said: “I congratulate all of the students who rose to the First Lady’s challenge by taking steps toward healthy living, and encourage them to continue their exercise and healthy eating habits now that the competition is over. I would especially like to acknowledge the efforts of the contest winners at the Hughes Magnet School, Lincoln Middle School and Edward Smith School in Syracuse for their hard work.”

Assemblyman Ron Canestrari said: “We know that childhood obesity is a statewide epidemic and the dangers it brings are very real. The good news is that it is entirely preventable. New York is fortunate to have a First Lady like Michele Paige Paterson who understands this issue and who is committed to reversing these alarming trends. I congratulate the students at Giffen Memorial who participated in the First Lady’s Challenge and I thank First Lady Paige Paterson for bringing her message of exercise and healthy living to children all across this State.”

Assemblyman David F. Gantt said: “Preventing childhood obesity reduces serious health problems down the road. My congratulations to the students and teachers at John. H Williams School who dedicated themselves to healthy living through exercise.”

Assemblyman Richard N. Gottfried, Chair of the Assembly Health Committee, said: “First Lady Michelle Paige Paterson and Governor Paterson are working hard to help our young people grow up healthy, with knowledge, exercise, good nutrition and good health care. Healthy Steps is a great program.”

Assemblyman John J. McEneny said: “The team effort of faculty, students and parents is a model for middle schools across the state. When you're dealing with exercise and nutrition, all three need to cooperate.”

Assemblyman Sam Hoyt said: “This great program is working. This program enhances student health and I commend the First Lady for her commitment to our state's next generation of leaders.”

Assemblyman William B. Magnarelli said: “I am very pleased to see that teachers and students at local schools are taking it upon themselves to improve their overall health. These small changes are lessons that will stay with them throughout their life.”

Assemblywoman Crystal D. Peoples said: “Congratulations to the 7th and 8th graders in Ms. Howard’s and Ms. Gibb’s classes. I’m sure the lessons learned are a victory for long and healthy living. It is my hope that peer interaction will create legs for this important lifestyle change.”

Assemblyman Mike Spano said: “I would like to congratulate the students from Family School 32, Robert C. Dodson and Paideia School 15 for their hard work in Healthy Steps to Albany: First Lady’s Challenge. First Lady Michelle Paterson has proven that physical fitness can be fun and easy and has set a tremendous example for children around the State to live active, healthy lives.”

Albany Mayor Gerald D. Jennings said: “I applaud the effort of Ms. Dobson’s 6th Grade students from Albany’s Giffen Memorial Elementary School and Ms. Backman’s 7th Grade students from Myers Middle School, as well as the participation of thousands of other school children throughout New York State who participated in the inaugural “Health Steps to Albany: First Lady’s Challenge” program. You have demonstrated that healthy lifestyle choices can yield positive results. First Lady Michelle Paige Paterson has led by example, encouraging our young people to couple exercise with healthy eating in order to address childhood obesity. Each of you, as well as the First Lady, are to be commended for making this first BIG step!”

Rochester Mayor Robert J. Duffy said: “I am very proud of our 6th graders from School #5 for helping to raise awareness about the importance of healthy lifestyles, I also applaud First Lady Michelle Paige Paterson for issuing this fitness challenge to the youth of our State.”

Syracuse Mayor Matthew J. Driscoll said: “I am proud of each of the students for committing to this challenge. However, I am more proud that they are adopting a healthy attitude for themselves and their future. I commend First Lady Michele Paige Paterson for creating this innovative program for our children.”

Yonkers Mayor Phil Amicone said: “Congratulations to the winning classes for their outstanding achievements in this great program. I also want to recognize First Lady Paterson and the Governor for their leadership on this important issue. The City of Yonkers was proud to have its schools participate in Healthy Steps to Albany and we will continue to promote a healthy lifestyle for all our children.”

Albany Superintendent of Schools Eva C. Joseph said: “We are grateful to the First Lady for bringing this challenge to our students in the City School District of Albany, and to students all across New York State. As educators, we know how important good health is to our students’ success, both in school and in life. This was an exciting opportunity for our students, and I know they will carry this important message forward with them.”

Buffalo Superintendent of Schools Dr. James A. Williams said: “I applaud the Governor’s and First Lady’s efforts to promote healthy lifestyle choices for children. It is critically important that students in Buffalo and across New York State exercise their minds as well as their bodies. The Buffalo Public School District is proud to have partnered with Governor David Paterson and First Lady Michele Paige Paterson to implement this initiative that is making students stronger and healthier.”

Rochester Superintendent of Schools Jean-Claude Brizard: “The good health of our students is paramount to ensuring their readiness to learn. We thank the First Lady for bringing focus to this issue, and we congratulate all of our students for their commitment to living healthy lives. The work that goes on in our schools every day around health, nutrition and wellness will help them maintain that commitment.”

Syracuse Superintendent of Schools Daniel G. Lowengard said: “The link between academic excellence and a healthy body is irrefutable and we are glad the First Lady has taken on this very important health and wellness initiative. We are so proud of our middle school students and their level of participation as they have taken this challenge and run with it.”

Yonkers Superintendent of Schools Bernard P. Pierorazio: “These healthy steps will take our students far into a healthy future. Thanks to First Lady Michelle Paige Paterson, they learned a journey of a thousand miles begins with small steps and staying fit. Healthy bodies yield healthy minds; it all supports well-rounded, higher achieving lifelong learners.”

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