"A World Fit for Kids! (WFIT) high school healthy behaviors and personal empowerment programming and training equips teens with the knowledge and skills needed to develop emotional, mental and physical fitness.  The Mentors in MotionSM (MIM) program consists of physical activity, nutrition, leadership training, community service, and job shadowing. After completing the service-learning component, MiM teens can apply for a 6-month internship as an Assistant Coach-Mentor for WFIT or other youth-serving agencies. As an intern, the teens become trained leaders in healthy behaviors and physical activity-based afterschool programming while they gain self-confidence and valuable work experiencein their own community.

This year, WFIT’s four high school sites each enjoyed a graduation ceremony for their senior students as they prepare for their futures. For many, this involves postsecondary education, with students headed to UC’s, Cal States, and community colleges throughout California.

The WFIT ceremony at Belmont High School took place on June 12th, with 7 MiM students, 5 AP tutors, 5 CAHSEE tutors, and 1 DOTS assistant coach having completed the training and internship program. After graduating high school, the lessons and memories gained as WFIT participants will continue with them. “My experience from being a MiM was really rewarding because I learned a lot about how to become an organizer, a leader, and also how to take care of younger children,” says Felix Ng, 18, who is headed to Cal State LA in the fall.

The Santee Education Complex ceremony for WFIT participants awarded 18 seniors on completing the MiM program. This involved training in Physical Activity Leadership (PAL) and Nourishing MattersSM, a highly interactive workshop on nutrition, health and wellness.  Along the way, they gained skills in personal empowerment and leadership in their community that encourage positive habits for their futures.

At Eagle Rock High School, 24 graduating seniors completed the WFIT program that offers students healthy behaviors and leadership training throughout their high school years. Participants that attended the WFIT ceremony received certificates and patches to wear during the high school’s graduation, held at Remsen Bird Hillside Theater at Occidental College. These awards were given to WFIT seniors in recognition of their dedication to bettering themselves and their community with an active lifestyle with sustainable healthy habits.

Miguel Contreras Learning Complex (MCLC) held their WFIT ceremony for graduating senior participants on June 15th, 2012. MCLC students involved with WFIT concluded their experience and celebrated their time with WFIT building lifelong self-confidence and healthy behaviors.

Graduating WFIT students at all four high school sites spent the year with an active commitment to mentoring their peers and younger students in their community. WFIT participants of the class of 2012 will be deeply missed. Belmont High School graduate Eric Noriega, who is leaving for UC Santa Cruz in the fall, said, “One of my most memorable moments in A World Fit for Kids! is working with people who care about each other. It’s like one big happy family.”