On December 16, I had the privilege of visiting McKinney, Texas to recognize Minshew Elementary School for achieving gold in the USDA’s HealthierUS School Challenge. I presented the award to the school at an assembly with the students, the Mayor and the district superintendent. I also had the pleasure to meet and congratulate the cafeteria staff and others on their achievement. The children at the school performed a dance routine and invited the adults to join them. I danced so much that I got my workout for the day! It was wonderful to see the children exercise and have fun at the same time.
The school’s innovative ways of providing healthy lunches for the children and incorporating exercise in their daily routine was impressive. The emphasis on physical education, which is part of the First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let's Move! initiative to end childhood obesity in a generation, was clear as the students enthusiastically integrated it into their presentation.
The school has set a high standard of excellence for other schools in McKinney, Texas to follow. We must continue our efforts to combat hunger and obesity and encourage our children to exercise. I give thanks to all those individuals that assisted in making the achievement possible and the individuals that are making a difference in the lives of our children.
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