Former Lion Surprises West Michigan Schools
Julie Bitely
| 3 min read
This wasn’t your everyday school assembly. Students at C.A. Frost Environmental Science Academy, part of Grand Rapids Public Schools, were recently treated to Detroit Lions mascot Roary’s hilarious hijinks, including a dab dance move that was met with squeals of laughter. If that wasn’t enough, former Lions’ wide receiver Herman Moore was a surprise guest, delivering a powerful message. He got down to the kids’ level, giving them an up-close look and perspective about how staying active and pursuing healthy habits are the best ways to bring their “A” game to everything they do. It’s a lesson students at the school have been focusing on. They’d committed to making positive strides to improve their health by signing the Lions’ Play 60 pledge, which encourages kids to energize their body and mind through healthy eating and commit to 60 minutes of activity every day.
Herman Moore and Roary. Through a partnership with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan’s #MIKidsCan initiative and Building Healthy Communities program, students were rewarded for their hard work with the action-packed Lions’ assembly. The power hour focused on leadership, good nutrition, getting enough sleep and exercise. Moore, Roary and crew also visited Edgewood Elementary School in Muskegon to share their message of health with students there. Assemblies at Muskegon’s Oakview Elementary and Timberland Charter Academy had to be postponed due to inclement weather. All four West Michigan schools are part of theBuilding Healthy Communities program, which helps schools create environments supportive of healthy eating and physical activity. "I'm very excited to support Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and the Detroit Lions in their partnership to tackle childhood obesity through the Lions' Play 60 program," Moore said. "This initiative aligns well with the mission of the Herman Moore Tackle Life Foundation. Our goal is to connect with kids at an age when core life values and skills can still be positively influenced." C.A. Frost teacher Kate Caliri’s third-grade class takes part in the school’s student leadership team and helped to bring the assembly there to life. She said her students have worked hard to spread the message of good health through daily announcements and by gathering support from their schoolmates to sign the Play 60 pledge. “It’s a chance to be a leader, not just to be healthy,” Caliri said. Third-grade student Kenzi Gorman, 9, said the focus on health has helped her focus on good habits. “I drink a lot of water and I go outside and I get lots of exercise and eat healthy,” Gorman said. She said she really liked the Lions’ message about it being okay if you don’t reach goals on the first try, but to keep persevering and trying until you do. See more photos of the assembly in this gallery: [gallery size="medium" ids="20891,20892,20894,20896,20897,20898,20899,20900,20901,20902,20903"] Like this post? Read more about what Blue Cross is doing to improve children's health:
- 80 Michigan Schools to Join Building Healthy Communities Program
- Learn more about #MIKidsCan
- How a Commitment to Michigan's Children Builds Healthy Communities
Photo credit: A Healthier Michigan
