15 Jun USATF Foundation and Foundation Grantees, Heather Miller-Koch and Turquoise Thompson bring Run With US! to Olympic Day in Chula Vista, California
SAN DIEGO – The USA Track & Field Foundation joined forces with Leonardo da Vinci Health Sciences Charter School in San Diego, California to host a successful Run With US! Olympic Day event last Wednes
day, announced USATF Foundation Executive Director Tom Jackovic and Chairman Bob Greifeld.
The event was held for hundreds of elementary school kids in Chula Vista, home of the United
States Olympic Training Center. Leonardo da Vinci Health Sciences Charter School has been hosting an Olympic Day event for six years. The event is dedicated to teaching students about the history and traditions related to the Olympics. The school places a strong emphasis on wellness and exercise on a daily basis and utilizes this special day to highlight these ideals. As a health sciences school, a major part of the school’s mission is to create “health literate” students who exhibit knowledge, skills, and behaviors critical to healthy living.
“Having USA Track & Field Foundation athletes at our Olympic Day event is a great way for our students to see the results of hard work and perseverance when meeting fitness goals. The students can look at these athletes and say, ‘that’s what I want to be one day,’” stated Physical Education Teacher and Olympic Day Director Lialie Ibrahim.
The addition of Run With US! and USATF Foundation Grantees Heather Miller-Koch (heptathlete) and Turquoise Thompson (400m hurdles) to this amazing Olympic Day brought smiles to 325 faces and illustrated to the children it is truly possible to live your dreams. Miller-Koch and Thompson’s presence not only encouraged and engaged the student
s but paralleled the beliefs and healthy habits Leonardo da Vinci Health Sciences Charter School aims to instill.
“Giving back to the community is very rewarding especially when you can get kids active and excited about it!” exclaimed Foundation Grantee Heather Miller-Koch.
Run With US! is a USA Track & Field Foundation school-based program initiative utilizing elite track & field athletes and Olympians teaching a running & exercise, nutrition, goal setting & self-esteem curriculum. Elite athletes coach students on track & field skills and exercise drills while sharing their inspirational stories from training and competition.