BOWIE, MD—Jodi Evans, a fourth-grader at Robert Goddard French Immersion School, has been selected to serve on the 2012-13 Youth Advisory Board for the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, an organization founded by the American Heart Association and the William J. Clinton Foundation.

The Alliance for a Healthier Generation Youth Advisory Board is one of the only youth-led advisory groups in the country focused on childhood obesity issues. The board advises the organization on inspiring young people to make healthy behavior changes and advocate healthy living. In addition to their role as advisors on childhood obesity issues, each board member is responsible for initiating healthy changes in their own neighborhoods and school districts by engaging in local service-learning programs. 

“Prince George’s County Public Schools is proud of Jodi for helping to spread this important message,” said Verjeana M. Jacobs, Esq., Board of Education Chair. “Childhood obesity affects too many of our youth. We hope that others will join Jodi in helping to educate children about better food choices and the importance of physical activity.”

“It is important for youth to have a voice in the fight against childhood obesity because youth influence each other. The Alliance for a Healthier Generation allows youth to be a positive influence on other youth in their community,” said Evans, who lives in Bowie. “The difference I am going to make is to help my friends make better choices, set goals and stay committed until achieving them.”

A huge proponent of athletics, the 9-year-old has been practicing Taekwondo for the past four years. This past year she received a gold medal in sparring and a bronze medal in poomsae in the USA Taekwondo 2012 Junior Olympics. She wants to use the techniques from Taekwondo – such as discipline, balance and strength – in efforts to combat childhood obesity. 

Following a nationwide search, the Alliance selected 21 youth from diverse backgrounds to serve on the Board for one year.