Governor Kitzhaber to Present Awards for Youth-Designed Healthy Living Projects

The contest was built around the four "pillars" of First Lady Michelle Obama's "Let's Move" initiative.

www.oregonyouth.org

(Salem, Oregon) - Nine groups of youth will be honored on May 4 at the state capital for their project proposals to Oregon Youth in Action (OYIA). The projects range from creating a one-mile fitness trail in Salem to starting a vegetable garden at a youth correctional facility. Governor John Kitzhaber will present each youth with a certificate and an OYIA check for their projects. Governor Kitzhaber helped kick off the contest at an educational forum in January. The youth will also testify before the Human Services Committee of the Oregon House of Representatives.

The contest was built around the four "pillars" of First Lady Michelle Obama's "Let's Move" initiative: empowering parents and caregivers, providing healthy food in schools, improving access to healthy, affordable foods, and increasing physical activity. Organizations working with youth were key to the initiative, in promoting the contest to youth and in sponsoring the projects - each entry had to include a partnership with a school or community organization.

The winning project proposals:

• Teenagers Engaged in Eating Nutritious Snacks - Portland Community Reinvestment Initiatives
• One-mile accessible trail - Oregon School for the Deaf
• Annual Pickle Ball Tournament - Gold Beach High School
• Rocket HEAT (Healthy Exercise Activity Together) - Community Transitional School
• Photo exhibit on middle school student views on healthy choices - Elton Gregory Middle School
• Film Festival to promote physical activity - Cheldelin Middle School
• Grocery shopping contest, blog, and fundraiser - Harriet Tubman Leadership Academy
• TRX fitness studio - Hillcrest Youth Correctional Facility
• Vegetable garden, classes, activities - Oak Creek Youth Correctional Facility

Schedule of Events8:30 am Welcome/Overview of Day (Oregon State Capitol)
Introductions
Schedule and Logistics
Legislative Procedures and Protocols
9:30 House Human Services Committee Testimony (Hearing Rm D) Co-Chairs Rep. Vic Gilliam (R-Molalla, Silverton) & Rep. Carolyn Tomei (D-Milwaukie) Invited testimony by youth leaders whose projects have been awarded implementation grants by the Oregon Youth in Action Contest
10:30 House & Senate Legislative Sessions/Recognition
Observation of Legislature In Session
Acknowledgement by State Senators and Representatives
Guided Tour of State Capitol
12:30 pm Youth Grant Awards Presentation by Gov. John Kitzhaber
Presented in the Governor’s Ceremonial Office
1:00 Lunch (Oregon State Capitol)
1:45 Closing Remarks/Press Opportunity with Award Recipients

Today’s event celebrates the youth who participated in the Oregon Youth in Action Contest,created by Class 24 of the American Leadership Forum of Oregon to engage and empower youth by providing the opportunity to develop ideas and implement projects that promote healthy bodies and healthy communities. We designed this contest around First Lady Michelle Obama’s national campaign called Let’s Move; its objective is to engage Americans in raising a healthier generation of kids.

Thank you for being with us today.
Here’s to a healthier future for Oregon youth!
Learn more about Oregon Youth in Action at www.oregonyouth.org.

News Release from: Legacy Health