RISE Cowley awarded mini-grants to USD 471 Dexter High School and USD 465 Winfield Irving Elementary to purchase equipment that will promote active lifestyles in students. RISE Cowley is a coalition of like-minded organizations dedicated to making Cowley County a healthier place to live, work, and play.
RISE Cowley partnered with Legacy Regional Community Foundation and USD 471 to purchase an inflatable high-jump mat for the school’s track and field team. The new mat will benefit athletes from both Dexter and Cedar Vale junior high and high school.
Legacy CEO Yazmin Wood shared with the RISE Cowley steering committee that high-jump athletes had been without a mat for two years. Athletes had to either arrive at a track meet early to practice or go to another facility entirely.
“When we heard from Yazmin about the hardships the students were enduring just to participate in the sport, we knew we needed to help,” says RISE Cowley President Sarah Johnson. “This mini-grant meets the mission of RISE Cowley by removing barriers for youth to engage in physical activity.”
Irving Elementary PTO requested that RISE Cowley partner with Blue Cross Blue Shield Healthy Habits to purchase an adjustable basketball goal. The new adjustable basketball goal will increase activity during inclement weather and allow younger students to play as well. Currently, the school has just one, full-sized basketball goal. The school is hoping to resurface the blacktop this summer and then will install the new goal for the coming school year.
USD 471 physical education teacher, Whitney Killman noted in her application the importance of students getting involved outside of the classroom, promoting being active, building relationships, and influencing good decision-making.
“RISE Cowley approved Irving’s request because we agree whole-heartedly with Ms. Killman,” says Johnson. “An adjustable goal will be an excellent addition to the school property to encourage people of any age or size to move more.”
Health is a priority, but it oftentimes falls to the bottom of the list of needs as life happens. To help combat that, RISE Cowley has set aside some funds for mini-grants. These funds help move forward healthy initiatives in Cowley County.
