Everybody Loves Recess!

The American Heart Association’s Recess Program is designed to get kids in the District moving.  Currently, 20% of children in D.C. are overweight, and an astonishing 1 in 3 children and teens in the Unites States is overweight or obese.  The AHA developed the Recess Program to address the problem head-on.  It is a year long program held at schools in D.C. Wards 5,6, 7 and 8.  The goal of the program is to “give kids the tools they need to empower themselves to make healthy behavior changes and become leaders and advocates for healthy eating and physical activity within the Greater Washington Region.”
 

I attended this year’s kick off event at Watkins Elementary School!  The event started with a warm up led by Donte Stallworth and the D.C. Divas. Then the kids took to the field and completed a fitness circuit with activities such as  Zumba,  cheerleading- with the Washington Redskins Cheerleaders and football passing- with the D.C. Divas and yours truly!

The kids warmed up by doing push-ups and football drills

I was assigned to the football passing station with the D.C. Divas, all female tackle football team. Several of the women were members of the gold medal winning team.

Donte Stallworth was on hand to give tips.

“You have more Bling than us!” was the first thing the Washington Redskins Cheerleaders told me when I introduced myself. They loved my crown!

Participating in the Recess event brought back tons of memories. I had a great time!

Best,

Ciji Dodds

Miss International 2011