Onawa - West Monona Schools

The car rolled into Onawa for an event that is a bit different than what we have been doing.

As Lt. Governor, one of my key priority areas has been promoting wellness - especially in our kids. Years of poor diets and a lack of nutritional education has caused real problems for our children. For example, type 2 diabetes, which I had learned was only found in adults is now showing up in kids. And this generation of kids is the first in our nation's history that are predicted to have a shorter life span than their parents. We cannot allow this to continue, and that is why I have worked hard to help address these challenges.

One way we are doing so is through a program called the Lt. Governor's Challenge. This is a free, national program that I launched here in Iowa last summer. It challenges people to stay active and eat better.

Starting this fall, we decided to expand the program to our schools. We had ten schools across the state participate. One that has really embraced this program is West Monona Schools.
Their PE teacher, Dale Pash, got some of his kids involved in October, and liked the program so much that this January, he expanded the program to all of the Middle School. And let me tell you, they are doing great.

While I was there, I got to see the kids working out. They were running, jumping, and staying active. That is exactly what we wanted this program to do. You can tell these kids are having fun, and in the process learning valuable skills that will keep them healthy for years to come.

I want to congratulate Coach Pash and the students at West Monona. They are doing a great job, and I am so proud of the work they are doing.

This program is open to kids or adults, and if you would like to learn more, visit www.ltgovernorschallenge.us.

Well, we are now heading to Council Bluffs for the night. We start at it again tomorrow with two more stops before heading back to Des Moines.

Until next time,

Patty