Five lucky students experienced an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet renowned business leader Warren Buffett at Berkshire Hathaway’s annual meeting in Omaha, Nebraksa today as part of GENYOUth Foundation’s AdVenture Capital Grant Program.
All five winners serve as Student Ambassadors for Fuel Up to Play 60, the nation’s largest in-school wellness program created by the National Dairy Council and the National Football League, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Students were selected based on their ability to generate a unique, entrepreneurial idea and put together a business plan to give their classmates greater access to healthier foods such as low-fat and fat-free milk and milk products, whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and increased physical activity.
“Today’s world requires leaders with entrepreneurial spirits who are capable of adapting and taking risks,” said Buffett. “I welcomed the opportunity to play a part in AdVenture Capital, a program that recognizes and rewards students for their ideas and instills in them the confidence to own the process of change to create healthier learning environments.”
During their meeting with Buffett, students shared their winning ideas to improve school wellness and received feedback and advice from the business leader.
“Getting to meet a business leader and philanthropist like Warren Buffett was an amazing experience and he gave me so many ideas on how to make my project successful,” said winner Josh Miller. “I’m excited to start school in the fall and help students at my school make healthier choices.”
Each winning student’s school will receive $4,000 from GENYOUth Foundation to implement his or her program. National winners and their ideas include:
- Lily Ayotte–Milford, N.H.–7th grade: “What’s Cooking in Titan’s Kitchen?,” a series of after-school healthy cooking classes featuring guest chefs
- Lashon Bonaventure–Bronx, N.Y.–4th grade: “Project Play + Eating Right = A Healthy Me,” a series of workshops for students to learn how to cook and grow organic produce
- Emma Buchanan–Glade Spring, Va.–10th grade: “Healthy Matters: Teaching Wellness for all Generations,” a monthly class featuring health information, healthy family cooking classes and personal fitness guidance
- Kaylene Khosla–Pueblo, Colo.–9th grade: “Play Today. Succeed Tomorrow,” a recreational sports league for elementary students to focus on teamwork, healthy diets, exercise and strategy
- Josh Miller–Maple Grove, Minn.–5th grade: “Motivational Mondays,” a 30-minute weekly exercise program
Created to nurture children’s health and wellness in the school environment and surrounding community, The GENYOUth Foundation raises funds, unites partners with shared goals, and empowers youth to own change. GENYOUth Foundation’s flagship program is Fuel Up to Play 60, which is currently active in nearly 73,000 schools across the country.
“Having spent many years on Wall Street and in media, and now working in the school environment, I know that creating opportunities for students to learn valuable business skills and effect real change is essential for their development and ultimate success in the global marketplace,” said Alexis Glick, CEO of GENYOUth Foundation. “When we conceived this program, I felt one person in particular, Warren Buffett, could inspire students and show them firsthand what it means to be a social entrepreneur and a citizen philanthropist. With grants of $1,000 to $4,000, AdVenture Capital will allow students to create innovative solutions to nutrition and physical activity in schools. We believe that when students are given a voice, meaningful change will follow.”
Even more students will have the opportunity to receive funds from AdVenture Capital for improving the nutrition and physical activity environment in their school when the second round of grants is awarded this fall. The application period will open in mid-August.
Visit www.GENYOUthFoundation.org for more information at that time. For more information about Fuel Up to Play 60, visit www.FuelUpToPlay60.com.