Congratulations to Accel Castillo, an eighth-grader from Palm Springs Middle School, for being named the top individual in the inaugural Fuel Up to Play 60 competition! Castillo beat 198,825 peers from around the country to claim the honor. Castillo’s prize includes a meeting Miami Dolphins wide receiver Davone Bess and a school assembly. Fuel Up to Play 60 is a school wellness program launched by the National Dairy Council and National Football League.
In addition to hosting Bess at his school, Castillo will receive various prizes, including a $500 NFLShop.com gift card, customized Dolphins team jersey and autographed Dolphins helmet. He also will attend the Dolphins rookie mini clinic and will receive VIP treatment to a preseason training session experience, plus tickets to a home Miami game this season.
Fuel Up to Play 60 is a school wellness program that empowers students to get healthy and be active by implementing changes. The student-led endeavor relies on leaders such as Castillo to put into action measures that will make a difference in the lives of their peers. The goal of the program is to assure that students “fuel up” with nutrient-rich foods such as low-fat and fat-free dairy, fruits, vegetables and whole grains in order to exercise for at least 60 minutes each day.
Castillo said the Fuel Up to Play 60 program has made a big difference in his quality of life. “Before FUTP60, I would eat whatever I wanted,” Castillo said. “Now I try and watch and limit the junk food that I eat. I feel and look much better. I lost almost 20 pounds this school year and now I can play all day long.”
Nationwide, more than 60,000 schools participated in the program. In Florida, 2,179 schools participated with St. Petersburg Bay Point Middle School earning top honors in the state. Enslow Middle School in Huntington, W. Va., was the top-scoring school in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
Source: Fuel Up to Play 60