Chicago Bear Reminds Bolingbrook Kids of Importance of Exercise, Good Nutrition

Photo: Complete with his own helmet, 5th grader Da’jon Bush listens closely to Chicago Bears center Roberto Garza during a Fuel Up to Play 60 visit to B.J. Ward Elementary School Monday morning.

Submitted by Valley View School District:

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“Stay in school. Eat breakfast. Exercise.”

That’s what Chicago Bears center Roberto Garza told children at B.J. Ward Monday during a “Fuel Up to Play 60” visit to the Bolingbrook elementary school.

“You can achieve any dream you have. I’m living proof of that,” Garza told a 5th grade class as he ate breakfast with them as part of the program sponsored by the National Football League, the National Dairy Council and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. “Getting good grades is important for your future but so is good nutrition.”

The NFL veteran delighted youngsters with his wit and wisdom.

“It’s important to me that you guys are successful. You have a staff here at B.J. Ward that really wants you to succeed,” he told an all-school assembly. “Nutrition is a big part of what you do. Feed your bodies. Feed your brains. Live a healthy lifestyle and be fit.”

“We’re fortunate to have a program like Fuel Up to Play 60 that encourages students to fuel up with nutrient rich foods like low-fat and fat free dairy, fruits, vegetables and whole grains, and get active for 60 minutes each day,” said B.J. Ward Principal Ted Warpinski. “Because of our involvement in Fuel Up to Play 60, we’ve implemented the successful Breakfast in the Classroom program that allows us to help our students fuel their bodies in the right way each morning.”

“Breakfast in school can make a difference,” added USDA spokesperson Julie Mikkelson. “Research shows improved nutrition and exercising can lead to improved academic performance.”