Sixth-grader Nathan Engler is certainly the ‘big man on campus? these days at St. Joseph Catholic School in Lake Orion.
On Thursday, the 12-year-old Oxford resident was all smiles as he was honored during a special assembly for being Michigan’s Phase I student winner in the Fuel Up to Play 60 national competition to fight childhood obesity.
‘It feels great,? Engler said.
Fuel Up to Play 60 is a free, youth-led program that empowers kids to take charge of their health and become school leaders by spending 60 minutes a day engaged in physical activity and eating healthier foods such as low-fat and fat-free dairy products, fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
The program is a nationwide joint effort between the National Dairy Council, United Dairy Industry of Michigan, National Football League, Detroit Lions and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Participants are encouraged to keep track of their physical activity and eating habits on a daily basis at www.fueluptoplay60.com and in the process, earn points. They also score points by taking on-line educationalchallenges and recruiting friends to join the program.
Engler earned more than 21,000 points between Oct. 15 and Dec. 15, 2009, the highest total of any student in the entire state.
‘I knew I had a lot, but I thought somebody would beat me at the end,? he said. ‘I didn’t think I was actually going to win.?
In addition to exercising for at least 60 minutes a day, Engler enjoys eating celery, apples, cereal, cheese and milk.
‘It helps me feel better and prepare better for my sports and stuff,? said Engler, who plays basketball, football and baseball for his parochial school.
To celebrate Engler’s considerable accomplishment, St. Joseph was visited by Lions mascot, Roary, and two-time Pro Bowler Luther Elliss, who autographed a football for the Oxford boy and addressed the student body.
‘Basically, the message today is to just encourage them to be like Nathan, to take this challenge,? said Elliss, who played defensive tackle for the Lions from 1995-2003 and retired in 2004 due to a back injury. ‘There’s still great prizes to be won.?
Phase II of the competition began Feb. 1 and runs through March 15.
Elliss, 36, said with the health care issue ‘being so prominent right now? and the nation facing ‘astronomical? costs in the future, it’s important to stress ‘preventative measures? to kids such as eating right and being active.
‘Instead of trying to fix (the problem) in the rear, let’s fix it up front,? said the former player, who helped lead the Lions to three NFL playoffs during the 1990s.
When asked what he thought of meeting the 6-foot-5-inch Elliss, Engler replied, ‘He’s big.?
For his efforts in Fuel Up to Play 60, Engler won an iPod Touch and a $50 NFLShop.com gift certificate. When asked by Elliss who his favorite team was, Engler told him the San Diego Chargers.
His parents, Dan and Lisa Engler, were ‘very proud? of their son.
‘He worked hard and stayed focused,? Dan said. ‘We were quite surprised to see what a big deal it really was.?
‘It’s pretty exciting,? Lisa said. ‘I did not realize it was going to be this inclusive. I just thought it was a little competition. We appreciate everyone being here.?
It’s from his parents that Engler developed his healthy eating habits.
‘We always have to eat our vegetables. You can’t leave the table till you’re done,? said his sister Rebekah Engler, an eighth-grader at St. Joseph.