September 25, 2006

Michigan Surgeon General Dr. Kimberlydawn Wisdom and Lakeview School District invite high school students from all public and private schools in Michigan to the first-ever Michigan Steps Up Youth Leadership & Advocacy Summit on Saturday, October 28 at Lakeview High School in Battle Creek. The Summit is the newest component of the Michigan Steps Up healthy lifestyles initiative.

The event is designed to engage youth in making a personal commitment to a healthy lifestyle and to empower them to become advocates for environmental and policy change in their schools to support healthy lifestyles. Teams of up to four high school students and one adult mentor will create a school-wide action plan to implement throughout the 2006-2007 school year.

"Michigan’s youth deserve a say in decisions and actions that impact their health,” Wisdom said. “We are thrilled to offer this opportunity for high school students to play an important role in the statewide movement to create healthier schools and healthier communities."

Wisdom is optimistic that this pilot program will be replicated year after year in Michigan and perhaps nationally. She envisions long-term, youth-led efforts that result in grassroots action, healthier school environments, and policy change.

"Lakeview School District is honored to team up with the Surgeon General and open our doors to students who want strategies, skills, resources and time to think about, dialogue and develop a health-focused action plan for their school," said Cindy Ruble, Superintendent of Lakeview School District.

Event highlights include student presentations; a leadership, advocacy, grassroots action and health professions panel; and nationally renowned keynote speakers Dr. Ronald Davis, President-Elect of the American Medical Association, and Dr. David Katz, Director of the Yale Prevention Research Center and ABC News and O, The Oprah Magazine Contributor. City Year Detroit will lead exercise breaks and facilitate small group work sessions, and the event will conclude with a lock-in at Full Blast Entertainment Center courtesy of the City of Battle Creek. A nominal team registration fee will cover food, materials and activities for all team members. Additional expenses will be covered through private and public sponsorships.

Advanced registration is required. Registration materials and additional information are available at www.michiganstepsup.org (click on the "Healthy Schools" icon).