C.A. Gray Junior High School is taking the lead for student health by participating in a nationwide wellness initiative.

Community-focused and fun, Fuel Up to Play 60 is activating schools and communities to support school wellness initiatives, good nutrition and physical activity, which help educate students and curb obesity, according to a press release from C.A. Gray.

In partnership with the National Dairy Council (NDC) and the National Football League (NFL), C. A. Gray and its students are recruiting friends, parents, teachers and business and community leaders to join them in pledging to adopt healthier behaviors, such as choosing foods encouraged by the United States Department of Agriculture, which has also joined the initiative, and committing to 60 minutes of physical activity every day.

C.A. Gray will kick off Fuel Up To Play 60 on March 26 by having an assembly where the grant check will be presented and students will participate in a 1K run. Gray will also introduce a Grab N Go breakfast cart in the courtyard to get students to eat breakfast, which is considered the most important meal of the day.

“Our school is in a unique position to influence the eating and physical activity habits of students,” said Principal Thelma Jackson. “We need community-wide support to help our students build positive, lifelong habits, and Fuel Up To Play 60 provides the healthy messages, resources and activities we need to get started.”