Parent Teacher Magazine Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools September 2014 | Page 7

Mallard Creek High student selected as youth ambassador
James Hoover works to prevent childhood obesity

The Alliance for a Healthier Generation has selected a CharlotteMecklenburg Schools student, 15-year-old James Hoover, to serve as a youth
ambassador on its 2014-2015 Youth Advisory Board. James, a sophomore at
Mallard Creek High School, was chosen because of his commitment to health
and wellness in the Charlotte community and his work to reverse the nation’s
childhood obesity epidemic.
The Alliance for a Healthier Generation, founded by the American Heart
Association and the Clinton Foundation, is a national nonprofit organization
working to reduce the prevalence of childhood obesity and empowering
students to develop lifelong healthy habits.
The Alliance’s Youth Advisory Board is one of the only youth-led advisory
groups in the country focused on childhood obesity. Only 20 students from
across the nation are chosen. Youth ambassadors serve as thought leaders
for the alliance and external stakeholders, offering valuable perspectives on
childhood obesity through internal conversations and major public speaking
engagements across America.
Youth ambassadors also develop a campaign to organize and activate
their communities to support policies and programs to promote kids’ health
and wellness. This year, James will work to encourage more physical fitness
activities during and after school hours and introduce healthier options in
vending machines. Mallard Creek High School student James Hoover
James has already implemented a pilot health program at Ridge Road
Middle School, with the support of Principal Jametta Martin-Tanner, which
educated students through practical examples of healthy choices. While in
middle school, James encouraged students to learn about nutritional and
fitness goals through daily health facts and a week of health questions and
answers.
His interest in the topic began when he saw “Fresh,” a 2009 documentary
about increased consumption of processed foods in America.
“The movie talked about childhood obesity and how this is the first

generation to live shorter lives than their parents by about 10 years,” said
James. “It scared me. I didn’t want to just talk about being healthy but
to walk the walk, too. That’s why I am encouraging more schools to get
involved.”
Dr. Howell We