Tuesday, May 28, 2019

MEDIA ADVISORY: San Diego Unified Students Launch American Heart Challenge, Dancing to Heart Health Supported by Celebrity-Powered American Dance Movement

· [cid:image006.png@01D51553.77AD1B80] [cid:image007.png@01D51553.77AD1B80]




MEDIA ADVISORY

May 21, 2019

San Diego Unified Students Launch American Heart Challenge, Dancing to Heart Health
Supported by Celebrity-Powered American Dance Movement



American Heart Association's American Heart Challenge Prepares Students for Success
Through Physical and Emotional Well-Being


WHAT: Roosevelt Middle School students and San Diego Unified School District officials will dance their way to heart health alongside American Dance Movement<http://americandancemovement.org/> co-founders Nigel Lythgoe and Adam Shankman, "The Wave" singer Jillian Hervey from R&B duo Lion Babe<http://www.lionbabe.com/about/>, and choreographer Dexter Carr<https://www.playgroundla.dance/dexter-carr> at the nationwide kick-off for the American Heart Association's American Heart Challenge<http://american.heart.org/americanheartchallenge/>.



San Diego Unified students are the first in the nation to receive specially designed cardio-pumping content, created to be integrated into the district's school wellness plans, using dance as one way to motivate students to make healthier life choices.



The morning will be filled with live performances, choreography and dance demonstrations as part of the nationwide kick-off of the American Heart Association's American Heart Challenge.



The American Heart Challenge serves as an extension of the award-winning San Diego Unified Wellness Initiative<https://www.sandiegounified.org/health-and-wellness>. In its third year, the initiative has provided health and wellness resources resulting in several district schools earning the title of "America's Healthiest School" from the Alliance for a Healthier Generation. Schools throughout the district and county are encouraged to follow Roosevelt Middle School's lead and plan their own wellness campaign through the American Dance Challenge resources.



WHEN: Friday, May 31, 8:00 a.m. – 9:40 a.m. **Live shots available prior to event start time upon request.**

Press Conference will begin at 8:00 a.m. on the stage located in the field.
Media Availability and 1:1 Interviews will be available on the "Kick Stage".
(See attached map for details)



WHERE: Roosevelt Middle School, 3366 Park Blvd, San Diego, CA 92103 (Field at corner of Richmond & Upas)

*Event access for media is located on the west side of campus off Richmond St, south of Upas St.



KEY ATTENDEES & INTERVIEWS

· Cindy Marten, Superintendent, San Diego Unified School District

· Dr. Christina Casillas, Principal, Roosevelt Middle School

· Tanya Edwards, Executive Vice President, Community Health & Development, American Heart Association

· Nigel Lythgoe & Adam Shankman, Co-founders, American Dance Movement

· Jillian Hervey, Singer "The Wave", Lion Babe

· Dexter Carr, Choreographer



The American Heart Challenge prepares students for success by supporting their physical and emotional well-being. With support from the American Dance Movement, students learn the latest cardio-pumping dance moves as a fun and engaging way to start a heart-healthy life.



MEDIA CONTACTS: Isabella McNeil, San Diego Unified, Imcneil@sandi.net<mailto:Imcneil@sandi.net> or 619.341.2343

Eric Thompson, American Heart Association, eric.thompson@heart.org<mailto:eric.thompson@heart.org> or 858.472.1902