ALGOMA, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – A Lakeshore community is celebrating a victory in wellness.
Algoma is one of the communities, nationwide, being recognized for having a “Culture of Health.”
In front of a packed fieldhouse, Algoma Middle School-High School Principal and Superintendent Nick Cochart told hundreds of students the news Tuesday morning.
Cochart tells Fox 11…
“Just kind of humbled really by it all. 2 1/2 years ago when we started all this, did we ever think we would get here? No.” Here, is being chosen as one of eight national “Culture of Health” winners from a field of more than 200 applicants.
“It’s awesome, It’s very much a dream come true,” said Teal VanLanen, Algoma School District Community Activator.
VanLanen says the new Community Wellness Center is one example of the area’s commitment to health.
She says the initiative called “Live Algoma” promotes overall well-being, where business leaders, residents, and even young people like student Madison Robertson share ideas, and solutions.
“I guess the biggest thing is to change your mindset, and to be more open to what other people think and to really collaborate with other people.”
“Our youth are the driving force of all of our improvements in the community. They really are the motivators, getting together with our adults, and really designing a future that we want to see collectively together,” said VanLanen.
Algoma will also get a check for $25,000. VanLanen has ideas for the cash.
“We’re going to put that money back into our “Live Algoma” initiative. So that community members young, old, can apply for that money. Perhaps they have an improvement in mind that they see in the community. They’re the solution holders, they know what to improve, and we just have to be here to support them through that process.”
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation awarded the prize. The group, based in New Jersey, works to improve health and healthcare, enabling people to live longer, healthier lives.
