Five Outstanding Students Meet Warren Buffett to Share Ideas and Receive Advice on Leading Change to Improve School Wellness

OMAHA, Neb., May 3, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Five lucky students experienced a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet renowned business leader Warren Buffett at Berkshire Hathaway's annual meeting in Omaha, Neb. today as part of GENYOUth Foundation's AdVenture Capital grant program. All five winners serve as Student Ambassadors for Fuel Up to Play 60, the nation's largest in-school wellness program created by National Dairy Council and the National Football League, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Students were selected based on their ability to generate a unique, entrepreneurial idea and put together a business plan to give their classmates greater access to healthier foods such as low-fat and fat-free milk and milk products, whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and increased physical activity.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130503/CG07323)  

"Today's world requires leaders with entrepreneurial spirits who are capable of adapting and taking risks," said Buffett. "I welcomed the opportunity to play a part in AdVenture Capital, a program that recognizes and rewards students for their ideas and instills in them the confidence to own the process of change to create healthier learning environments."

During their meeting with Buffett, students shared their winning ideas to improve school wellness and received feedback and advice from the business magnate. Following Berkshire Hathaway's annual meeting, students will go on to lead their programs in school with guidance from an "Inspiration Panel" of young innovators in education, technology, and social media.

"Getting to meet a business leader and philanthropist like Warren Buffett was an amazing experience and he gave me so many ideas on how to make my project successful," said winner Josh Miller. "I'm excited to start school in the fall and help students at my school make healthier choices."

From healthy cooking classes to recreational sports leagues, Fuel Up to Play 60 Student Ambassadors submitted innovative and youth-friendly ideas to create a healthier school environment. Each winning student's school will receive $4,000 from GENYOUth Foundation to implement his or her program. National winners and their ideas include:

• Lily Ayotte—Milford, N.H.—7^th grade: "What's Cooking in Titan's Kitchen?," a series of after-school healthy cooking classes featuring guest chefs
• Lashon Bonaventure—Bronx, N.Y.—4^th grade: "Project Play + Eating Right = A Healthy Me," a series of workshops for students to learn how to cook and grow organic produce
• Emma Buchanan—Glade Spring, Va.—10^th grade: "Healthy Matters: Teaching Wellness for all Generations," a monthly class featuring health information, healthy family cooking classes and personal fitness guidance
• Kaylene Khosla—Pueblo, Colo.—9^th grade: "Play Today. Succeed Tomorrow," a recreational sports league for elementary students to focus on teamwork, healthy diets, exercise and strategy
• Josh Miller—Maple Grove, Minn.—5^th grade: "Motivational Mondays," a 30-minute weekly exercise program

Created to nurture children's health and wellness in the school environment and surrounding community, the GENYOUth Foundation raises funds, unites partners with shared goals, and empowers youth to own change. GENYOUth Foundation's flagship program is Fuel Up to Play 60, which is currently active in nearly 73,000 schools across the country.

"Having spent many years on Wall Street and in media, and now working in the school environment, I know that creating opportunities for students to learn valuable business skills and effect real change is essential for their development and ultimate success in the global marketplace," said Alexis Glick, CEO of GENYOUth Foundation. "When we conceived this program, I felt one person in particular, Warren Buffett, could inspire students and show them firsthand what it means to be a social entrepreneur and a citizen philanthropist. With grants of $1,000 to $4,000, AdVenture Capital will allow students to create innovative solutions to nutrition and physical activity in schools. We believe that when students are given a voice, meaningful change will follow." 

Even more students will have the opportunity to receive funds from AdVenture Capital for improving the nutrition and physical activity environment in their school when the second round of grants is awarded this fall. The application period will open in mid-August. Visit www.GENYOUthFoundation.org for more information at that time. For more information about Fuel Up to Play 60, visit www.FuelUpToPlay60.com.

About GENYOUth Foundation
Founded through an unprecedented public-private partnership with National Dairy Council (NDC) and the National Football League (NFL) committed to child health and wellness, GENYOUth brings leaders in health, education, government and business together in a movement to help America's youth achieve a healthier future. The Foundation officially launched on February 4, 2011 at Super Bowl XLV with the signing of a historic six-way Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), with U.S. Departments of Agriculture, Education and Health & Human Services. GENYOUth empowers students to improve nutrition and physical activity by taking small steps to accelerate a lifetime of healthy changes. When youth are given a voice, change can happen. For more information, visit www.GENYOUthFoundation.org.

About Fuel Up to Play 60
Beginning in 2009, America's dairy farmers began investing more than $250 million over five years to support their commitment to child health and wellness. As a result, Fuel Up to Play 60 is now the country's most prominent in-school nutrition and physical activity program, launched by National Dairy Council (NDC) and National Football League (NFL), with additional partnership support from U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The program encourages youth to consume nutrient-rich foods (low-fat and fat-free dairy, fruits, vegetables and whole grains) and achieve at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day.

Fuel Up to Play 60 is designed to engage and empower youth to take action for their own health by implementing long-term, positive changes for themselves and their schools. Customizable and non-prescriptive program components are grounded in research with youth, including tools and resources, in-school promotional materials, a website and student challenges. Fuel Up to Play 60 is further supported by several health and nutrition organizations: Action for Healthy Kids, American Academy of Family Physicians, American Academy of Pediatrics, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, National Hispanic Medical Association, National Medical Association and School Nutrition Association. Visit FuelUpToPlay60.com to learn more.

About NFL PLAY 60
Designed to help tackle childhood obesity, NFL PLAY 60 brings together the NFL's long-standing commitment to health and fitness with partner organizations like the National Dairy Council. NFL PLAY 60 is also implemented locally, as part of the NFL's in-school, after-school and team-based programs. For more information, visit NFLRush.com.

About National Dairy Council
National Dairy Council® (NDC), the non-profit organization funded by the national dairy checkoff program, is committed to nutrition education and research-based communications. NDC provides science-based nutrition information to, and in collaboration with, a variety of stakeholders committed to fostering a healthier nation, including health professionals, educators, school nutrition directors, academia, industry, consumers and media. Established in 1915, NDC comprises a staff of registered dietitians and nutrition research and communications experts across the country. NDC has taken a leadership role in promoting child health and wellness through programs such as Fuel Up to Play 60. Developed by NDC and the National Football League (NFL), Fuel Up to Play 60 encourages youth to consume nutrient-rich foods and achieve at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day. For more information, visit www.NationalDairyCouncil.org.

For More Information:
Sharon Bukspan
212.225.8427 office
[email protected]

SOURCE GENYOUth Foundation