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| PHS gets fit |
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| Written by Maddy Houk / Patterson Irrigator | |
| Wednesday, 21 November 2007 | |
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Project FIITNESS kicks off with rally More than 40 percent of Patterson High School freshmen were found to be overweight when they were weighed and measured last month. On Friday, former WNBA star Cardte Hicks tried to rally the class of 2011 to change those statistics. Hicks, a former Sacramento Monarchs basketball player, was in town to help kick off Project FIITNESS, (Fostering Individual Improvement Through Nutrition, Exercise and Student Specialists) — a local program to help students develop healthy habits. “I’m really so excited to be here. … We’re going to make history in this house today!” Hicks said.  Former WNBA player Cardte Hicks helped kick off PHS's Project FIITNESS rally. Photo by Elias Funez / Patterson Irrigator The West Valley Health Coalition, a group formed in May to bring better health to Patterson, created the project. At Friday’s kickoff luncheon before the student rally, Dr. Eric Ramos of Patterson’s Del Puerto Health Center said 40 percent of teenagers in Stanislaus County are overweight. Patterson keeps up with those statistics. Sixty-six of the high school’s freshmen — about 41 percent — are in the overweight category. “That’s pretty terrible statistics when you think about what we’re looking at,” Ramos said. The West Valley Health Coalition is working to change that. The coalition includes the Del Puerto Health Center, Patterson Unified School District, Westside Community Alliance, Patterson Parks and Recreation Department and Health Net, an insurance company. PHS freshmen had their height, weight and body mass indexes measured Oct. 30 at the school. The testing identified 34 girls and 32 boys who are “high risk” for health conditions such as Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, depression and other health factors exacerbated by carrying extra pounds. Of the 66 students identified as high risk, 40 will participate in the 24-week Project FIITNESS program, which includes motivational meetings, exercise, ideas for personal recreation, family involvement, lifestyle change and building self-esteem and leadership skills. They also will benefit from in-kind donations, such as exercise equipment they can keep. At Friday’s luncheon, Ramos also announced that Doctors Medical Center in Modesto kicked in a $3,200 grant for shirts, shorts and tennis shoes for participants. Ramos had hoped there would be enough funding for all 66 kids to participate, but there is not. Patterson Unified School District Superintendent Patrick Sweeney said the program is important. “The children in the county are in poor shape, literally and figuratively,” Sweeney said. “If we don’t do something to rectify the issue of obesity, it won’t matter what our test scores are.” Patterson Parks and Recreation Director Adrienne Chaney said family involvement will be a key to the program’s success. “We have so many people involved in these kids’ lives — we want to make sure they are successful,” Chaney said. “If we can teach families to prepare healthy meals for kids, that’s going to be a huge improvement.” Chaney said anyone who completes the program will get a “makeover,” including new clothes from participating companies to add to their new look. Kathy Pon, PUSD assistant superintendent of educational services, said successful students could visit local elementary schools and educate younger kids about healthy eating and exercise. Kids’ health at center court Hicks kept things fun, playing a basketball game with Patterson High School Principal David Stubbs and students Cody Weinzheimer and Marissa Chavez. The final score was Home 9, Visitor 8. Then, a team of students and a team of teachers answered questions in the Fitness Bowl Challenge, in which questions flashed on the screen and points were given to the team with the correct answer. Master of ceremonies Chuck Marble, who has children in the school district, kept the rally on track. “Kids’ health is really important to me,” Marble told the students. “How many of you spend any time thinking about your health? The decisions you guys are making about your health and well-being are going to affect you the rest of your life.” Hicks described how she shaved her head and played basketball on her brother’s San Pedro High School basketball team when he had the mumps. That was back when girls didn’t play on basketball teams. She and her brother, Mark, went to Europe to play, and eventually she played for the Monarchs. Hicks, whose father died when she was young, leaving her mother to raise the children, said she has compassion for kids. Though diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 1995 and diagnosed with breast cancer and diabetes this year, Hicks said she has not given up. “Being 50 years old like I am and being able to get out on the floor and do what I have done really is a blessing,” Hicks told the cheering crowd. “A month ago today, I had knee surgery, but I wanted to be here with you guys. Ride your bikes, walk to school, take the stairs instead of the elevator. I don’t want to have to see you 6-feet under.” Freshman Bethanie Sonnefeld said the presentation was fun. “I’m glad I got to see it,” Sonnefeld said. “It was a great way to learn about different health-related stuff.” Jade Taylor agreed “It’s pretty interesting how (Hicks) was the first one to play on a guy’s basketball team,” Taylor said. “It’s pretty awesome.” To reach Maddy Houk at the Irrigator, call 892-6187 or e-mail her at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
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