The Office of Coordinated School Health, in cooperation with the Mississippi Alliance for School Health, is pleased to announce the winners of the Mississippi Alliance for School Health Magnolia Meltdown Wellness in My School Contest.

This contest encouraged students in grades 7-12 to participate in wellness initiatives in their school and community. It gave them the opportunity to research their school wellness policy and act on those areas of Coordinated School Health that they were most interested in.

This is the second year for the contest to be held. Winners for the 2007-2008 school year are: First Place – Philadelphia High School’s Future Business Leaders of America; Second Place – North Forrest’s DECA – An Organization for Marketing Students; and Third Place – Coldwater High School’s Interact Club.

Philadelphia FBLA co-sponsored a Health Fair for middle and high school students. The Health Fair included vendors and educational exhibits related to wellness and proper nutrition. This event reached over 530 people. In addition, the group kicked off the Let’s Go Walkin’ Philly Health Challenge for students and staff members, with awards being presented at the Spring Field Day.   

North Forrest DECA Club completed a Fit for Life Program that was a challenge to determine the Biggest Loser and the Biggest Stepper in their school. Participants were encouraged to lose weight, increase their steps and to adopt a healthier lifestyle. DECA members used this project as their Public Relations Project and won first place in state competition and were recognized with a Certificate of Excellence at the International DECA Conference in Atlanta.

Coldwater Interact Club chose to focus on a need that they discovered when the school held a blood drive. Many of the students could not give blood due to low iron. Working with the nutrition class, the school nurse and their club sponsor, the group organized a Student Wellness Council and set wellness goals. They planned a “going green” campaign that focused on eating healthy and shared their knowledge with the elementary school.