Nutrition class organizes run to promote healthful living
Sixty-six runners met Saturday morning on a rain-soaked Ankeny to demonstrate dedication to community health and well-being. The runners met for “Run For Your Life,” a two-mile loop around campus organized by Professor Kendra Golden’s nutrition class.
Donated prizes were awarded to the fastest man and woman, and additional prizes were raffled. Winning the race for the men was Whitman cross-country runner John Callow.
“I had a lot of fun, and it’s definitely a great cause,” said Callow. First female racer Dana Bialek agreed: “It was slippery, but I’m so glad I came out.”
Entrance fees from the run made a quick two hundred dollars for the class’s cause of combating childhood obesity and promoting healthful living through education. The class’s local focus is on families living at Walla Walla’s Farm Labor Camp.
A community of homes for local migrant farm workers, the Farm Labor Camp has several daycares and early education centers, including a preschool. The money earned for the preschool will be spent on anything from playground equipment to nutrition specific educational materials and toys.
“We chose the preschool not only to teach the kids, but also to help families fully realize their role in developing lifelong habits,” said committee member Alison Meith.
As stipulated by Golden before the first brainstorming sessions, projects have remained student designed and led. The class split into three committees to tackle individual projects voted on early in the semester. Two groups focused on organizing the fun run and collaborating with the Farm Labor Committee.
“We were a little ambitious and decided to do all three projects. I feel really good about it,” said fun run organizer Alexis Mahowald.
A third committee will compile and publish a guide to active and healthful living in Walla Walla. The guide will feature certain restaurants and excursion opportunities like bike paths and hikes. Proceeds from its sale will also go to the preschool.
This year’s projects are among several community health projects Golden’s classes have undertaken in the last four years.
“I kept going to these conferences with other nutrition educators who incorporated outreach projects into the curriculum. I thought, what a perfect opportunity for my Whitman students,” said Golden.
Last year’s class raised money for the Christian Aid Center’s food bank with the publication and sale of a nutritional cookbook.
As Golden pointed out, promoting smart nutrition and active lifestyles requires a community outlook.
“Nutrition is highly personal and individual. This outreach project is designed to encourage students to take unique action against what has become a community, national and global issue,” said Golden.
Meith was invigorated by the run’s success. “I can’t believe the turnout, we really pulled this off. I think it was a really great reminder of what we’re trying to accomplish and how much people care about it,” she said.
Runner Divneet Kaur shared her enthusiasm: “Who can’t get excited about the class’s goals? I had so much fun.”
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