By Samuel Frattasio ’27
News Editor
I was recently selected, along with 22 people from across the country, as a member of the GENYOUth National Youth Council. As part of my orientation, I attended the GENYOUth National Youth Council summit this past June in Washington, D.C. Our council gathered to begin the process of helping address issues relating to food security and the physical wellness of students in US schools. As a national youth council member, I had the opportunity to collaborate with peers, as well as national leaders and government officials, in an effort to help drive change and policies in health, wellness, and education. To better understand the impact of the organization behind this work, it’s essential to examine GENYOUth’s broader mission and reach.
GENYOUth is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the health and wellness of young people, particularly within the school environment. Founded in 2010 by the National Dairy Council, the National Football League (NFL), and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, GENYOUth works to ensure children have access to nutritious foods and opportunities to stay active. Since its founding, the organization has raised over $200 million to support initiatives nationwide, promoting healthier and more active lifestyles for students. Through its School Nutrition Grants, GENYOUth has reached 17,464 schools and impacted 18.2 million students. Its Cafeteria Equipment Grants have helped serve 1.89 billion meals annually, and its Physical Activity Grants have benefited 23,893 school communities, encouraging 21 million students to be active before, during, and after school. Overall, GENYOUth programs operate in 76,287 schools, covering 69% of all schools in the U.S. and present in 83% of Title I schools. The organization’s initiatives reach 40.9 million students, which includes 82% of those eligible for free or reduced-price meals.
While in Washington, I participated in leadership development sessions, mentorship workshops, and lectures. I also met with government officials, legislative aides, and senior executives from leading organizations such as Amazon, Tyson Foods, and the National Dairy Council. The information sessions, open dialogue and platform for sharing ideas was an invaluable learning experience on youth leadership, public policy, and social responsibility. Each council member is also tasked with designing a project to implement within their school community. With an equipment grant and a $1,500 stipend, I am working to introduce yoga and reintroduce flag football to Hanover High School, as well as other schools in the district. My goal is to focus on both mind and body, introducing more cardio and stretching, while also having fun along the way. If successful, yoga could be offered as a regular PE offering, and Flag Football is under consideration for MIAA-sanctioned status. Beyond my own school, I am collaborating with our nurse, Ms. Nee, to take these lessons into the wider community, visiting other schools in the district to share information about proper nutrition and the benefits of physical wellness. We also aim to connect with local nutritionists to further promote healthy lifestyles among students.
I’m very proud to be representing New England on the GENYOUth Council and bringing some ideas home to Hanover. It’s more than just promoting physical activity and proper nutrition; it’s about empowering young people to take charge of their own health and well-being. By sharing these initiatives, I hope to create opportunities for my peers to lead healthier, more active lives. At the heart of this work is the principle that young people deserve a voice in decisions that affect them. As GENYOUth’s National Youth Council motto reminds us, “If it’s about us, don’t do it without us.”
The Hawk 