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Program Teams Athletes with Youth for Healthy
Living
By
Laura Skillman
 HENDERSON,
Ky., (Dec. 5, 2007) – There’s a special buzz in the air on
Tuesdays and Thursdays at East Heights Elementary School’s
after-school program. These are the days the high school
athletes come to share physical activity and healthy lifestyle
information with the youths.
The YEAH! program (Youth Exercising with Athletes for Health)
pairs high school athletes in Henderson County with elementary
schools for a four-week program that encourages exercise and
healthy lifestyles.
Jan Dougan, University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension agent
for family and consumer sciences in Henderson County, said the
program originated from discussions she and Ellen Redding,
director of communications/community education with the
Henderson County Schools, were having on how to get kids more
active. A running program was being discussed to help get
children in day care and after-school programs more active. At
the same time, Redding was trying to figure out how athletes
could get their community service hours in prior to graduation.
Dougan suggested getting the athletes to help.
The program launched in the spring of 2004 and has been a proven
winner for the elementary students and the high school athletes,
who are called coaches in the program.
“It gives the athletes the opportunity to mentor youths and give
back to the community in a capacity that they are known for and
the younger kids recognize,” Redding said.
The program teaches the teens about responsibility while the
younger ones learn in a safe environment that physical activity
can be fun. Redding, along with Dougan and Shawna Evans,
director of the high school youth services center, coordinate
the program. Redding develops the curriculum, Dougan assists
with nutritional information and grants, and Evans recruits the
high school athletes.
“It’s run by the high school kids, and they really do a good
job,” Redding said. “We stress that this is a commitment.”
Dougan said most of the athletes go to their former elementary
school and play games with the kids, teach them how to stretch,
how to run and be more active.
“The younger kids look up to these high school kids. They enjoy
being with them, and so far, it’s been a win-win situation,” she
said.
The program is funded by several grants including one from the
Cooperative Extension Service’s Health Education through
Extension Leadership to pay for backpacks the coaches and
participants receive when they complete the program.
Stephanie Williams, day care and after-school program director
at East Heights, said the program grows every year.
“They look forward to the high school students coming,” she
said. “They think they are getting to play with the big kids.
Anytime we have someone who wants to come in and do something
with the kids, I’m all for it. It breaks the monotony, and it’s
new faces, and they can also see what they can be. They really
become attached to the athletes.”
Madison Korb, 9, is participating in YEAH! for the second year
and said she’s learned the importance of stretching before
exercising.
“I also learned you should eat healthy foods to keep your body
in shape for running and to be in sports,” she said. “I want to
be in sports – cheer, basketball, softball and soccer.”
Omni Morgan, a junior track and soccer player, is participating
in the program for the first year.
“It’s been great getting to work with the younger kids and teach
them good things like how to stretch properly, the types of
meals they should eat and the proportions,” she said. “I’ve had
some friends do it, and they really enjoyed it. And since soccer
is over I’ve found something to keep me in shape a little bit.
They definitely have a lot of energy.”
Morgan said the elementary students pay attention to the
information that the athletes share with them. She encourages
other schools and athletes to get involved with this program or
a similar one in their school system.
“All athletes should do it,” she said. “You get the experience
of helping someone else, and I feel better about myself, and it
makes me happy because they are all smiling and stuff. It’s not
that hard. We’re here for about an hour.”
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Contact: Jan Dougan, 270-826-8387
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