King County Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer – in partnership with the Seattle Seahawks – hosted a May 18 Teen Health Summit for local high school students at the Auburn Mountainview High School Theater.

More than 100 students were selected from Auburn, Auburn Mountainview, Auburn Riverside and Thomas Jefferson high schools to attend the Health Summit as student leaders, athletes, student body representatives and high achievers.

“Our nation is facing a health crisis. This isn’t a minor problem, as it is impacting health costs, the economy, and the well being of families, future children and one’s own quality of life,” von Reichbauer said. “Today is about teaching students not only how to prioritize their health, but how to spread the word about healthy living as a leaders in their schools so that we can work to reverse this negative health trend.”

Other sponsors for the Health Summit included Subway, Washington State Apple Commission, the Washington Dairy Council, Virginia Mason, and Auburn Valley YMCA.

The two-hour event educated high school students on the importance of healthy living. Throughout the program students listened to several informative speakers, ate a balanced lunch and took part in interactive activities which highlighted the importance of healthy diet and exercise for life.

Speakers included a registered dietician, two-time Olympic bronze medalist J.R. Celski, a panel of student-athletes from the University of Washington, a representative from the Seahawks Fuel Up to Play60 Program, and Zumba instructors from the YMCA.

At the event, students received helpful tools and informative packets to help lead their fellow classmates and friends down the road to a healthier life. In closing, students were asked to encourage their classmates to participate in a summer health challenge, termed “Every Step Counts”, which mission is to motivate everyone to move more, eat better and live healthier. The competition will provide fun and healthy ways to spend the summer, and could earn the students and their classmates some valuable rewards.