Wantage students race to nutrition

WANTAGE — Surprisingly, almost an entire group of third- and fourth-graders raised their hands to tell race car driver and previous Wantage School student, Hunter Smith, that they like vegetables.

Last week, Wantage School kicked off its “Fuel Up with Five – Race to Good Nutrition” program by hosting two assemblies where Smith, Kevin Heaney of Pocono Raceway Public Relations, and Tricky the Triangle Fox, Pocono Raceway mascot, made the exciting analogy of a race car being like a human body.

Smith, dressed in his red racing suit, encouraged the kids to eat their fruits, vegetables, and dairy, plus exercise. In order to race well, Smith said he exercises six times a week, drinks lots of milk, and eats his favorite fruit, apples. He also said the heart is the motor/engine of their bodies, and they need to give it the right fuel, just like a race car.

Likewise, Heaney said what they put in their bodies will affect the type of performance they get. He also said Tricky would say the same thing if he could, and “He loves you guys.”

The children loved Tricky right back by giving him hugs and many high fives.

After the assembly, Pocono Raceway President and CEO Brandon Igdalsky provided a red “Pace Car” to reinforce what the students had learned. They walked around and admired it, with Tricky the Triangle standing by to greet them.

The catalyst behind the “Fuel up with Five” program is Wantage School Nurse Deb Fisher, along with the support of many others. In 2000, she helped develop the six-week curriculum along with the inspiration of the late Charlie Kuperus, former New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture. Now she is implementing it again in honor of her good friend and mentor, along with helping the Wantage students.

Wantage School also partnered with Sussex-Wantage PTO, Atlantic Healthy Schools, who awarded them a mini grant, Sussex County Public Health Dept., Maschio's Food Service, Chatterbox Restaurant, 23 Farmer Market, and YMCA.

In addition, the staff weighed in last Friday to begin a “Biggest Loser” competition.

Also last Friday, the school decorated the cafeteria with balloons, pennants, and a race track. Each class will race a car donated by the Chatterbox around the track to show their healthy progress in a friendly competition.

One of the goals through instruction and prizes is for the students to voluntarily choose/taste a healthy lunch, including the five food groups: grains, fruits, vegetables, proteins, and dairy. Ultimately, one class will reach the “Winner's Circle” and receive a class trip to the YMCA.

Fisher asked the students, “Everybody ready to start those engines on Monday?” to thunderous cheers.