JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — From the White House to the playgrounds of Jacksonville, the message is simple: let’s move.
“It’s one thing for the first lady of the United States to hear and kind of co-sign your idea,” said Nikiah Henderson, senior at Paxon School For Advanced Studies.
That idea involves promoting physical activity and a healthy diet. Every Monday through early December will be “Let’s Move Monday” for I’m A Star Foundation participants, who are students across Duval County.
Henderson and Joshua Brown are helping lead the charge.
“Educating the old and the young about the different types of food and healthy choice options that they have along with games and activities for kids,” Brown explained.
Considering the childhood obesity numbers, Let's Move Jacksonville is needed. According to stateofobesity.org, high school students in Florida have an obesity rate of 12.3 percent as of 2015.
Next month, I'm A Star will host an event to bring awareness to the problem at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville, the home of the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, the Class AA-affiliate of the Miami Marlins.
“I think it was extremely impressive that the organization is student-(run). You don’t come across that very often. They’re doing such great things in the community,” said Andrea Williams, director of community relations for Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp.
Indeed they are, and it starts one determined student at a time.
If you want to get in on the fun, all you have to do is record yourself dancing or doing something active, take a picture and use the hashtag #letsmovemonday.
The official Let’s Move Jacksonville event takes place Dec. 10 at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville from 11 a.m to 3 p.m. It’s free and the group with the most people who attend will win $1,000.