Prendergast 6th grader wins cooking contest at Griffin Hospital in Derby

Contributed photo

From left: Nicole Gregory, Grade 5, Bradley School in Derby, Rocco Grella, Grade 4, Maple Hill School in Naugatuck, Naomi Ortiz, Grade 6, Prendergast School in Ansonia, Brooklyn Neff, Grade 5, Perry Hill School in Shelton, and Victoria Koether, Grade 6, Seymour Middle School, competed in the 5th Annual Valley Initiative to Advance Health and Learning in Schools (VITAHLS) Healthy Cooking Competition Finals at Griffin Hospital.

DERBY - Prendergast School sixth grader Naomi Ortiz of Ansonia, was top chef at the 5th Annual Valley Initiative to Advance Health and Learning in Schools (VITAHLS) Healthy Cooking Competition.

Ortiz’s Sweet Chili Salmon with White Jasmine Rice was named best by a panel of judges that included experts in cooking and youth health at Griffin Hospital May 15. 

Ortiz’s recipe beat out tasty and healthy Asian fusion-inspired entries by Rocco Grella, Grade 4, Maple Hill School, Naugatuck; Victoria Koether, Grade 6, Seymour Middle School; Brooklyn Neff, Grade 5, Perry Hill School, Shelton; and Nicole Gregory, Grade 5, Bradley School, Derby.

“We look forward to this contest every year because it provides a fun and exciting way for local students to showcase their talents for cooking, and it encourages healthy eating and cooking at home and in the local community,” said Kim Doughty, MPH, PhD, VITAHLS Coordinator at the Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center (PRC).

The five contestants advanced to the finals by winning local competitions in their school district. 

All finalists received a personalized apron, gardening tools and seeds from Massaro Community Farm, a gift card to Sports Center of Connecticut, and a cookbook. 

Ortiz received all of this plus a Big Y gift card, passes to Rockin’ Jump Trampoline Park in Trumbull, a one-month membership to the Valley YMCA, and a gift certificate to Wild Kanji hibachi restaurant in Shelton. 

VITAHLS is a childhood obesity prevention initiative collaboration between Griffin Hospital, Yale Griffin PRC, and the Ansonia, Derby, Seymour, Shelton, and Naugatuck school districts. 

Since 2011, VITAHLS has integrated a variety of nutrition and physical activity programs into the existing school structure to help reduce childhood obesity.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Congratulations to all the young chefs who competed!

Students take part in cooking contest at Griffin Hospital in Derby

From left: Anthony Nakis, Derby Middle School, Victoria Caiza, Seymour Middle School, Emma Jackson, Western Elementary School, Naugatuck, Kayla Kilincoglu, Perry Hill School, Shelton, and Colin Cepeda, Mead School, Ansonia, competed in the 4th Annual Valley Initiative to Advance Health and Learning in Schools Healthy Cooking Competition Finals at Griffin Hospital./ Contributed photo

DERBY - Derby Middle School eighth grader Anthony Nakis was top chef at the 4th Annual Valley Initiative to Advance Health and Learning in Schools (VITAHLS) Healthy Cooking Competition.

Nakis’s Tex-Mex Bison Burger Sliders were named best by a panel of judges that included elected officials and representatives from Ansonia, Derby, Seymour, and Naugatuck at Griffin Hospital in DerbyMay 23. Nakis’s recipe beat out tasty and healthy entries by Colin Cepeda, of Mead School in Ansonia, Kayla Kilincoglu, of Perry Hill School in Shelton, Victoria Caiza, of Seymour Middle School, and Emma Jackson, of Western Elementary School in Naugatuck.

“Each year, the contest provides a fun and exciting way for local students to showcase their talents for cooking, and to encourage a passion for both healthy eating and cooking within the local community,” said Kim Doughty, MPH, PhD, VITAHLS Coordinator at The Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center.

The five contestants advanced to the finals by winning regional competitions in their school district. 

All finalists received a personalized apron, a gardening basket from Massaro Community Farm, a $25 gift card to Sports Center of Connecticut, and other items. 

As the grand prize winner, Nakisalso received a basket and gift card from Common Bond Market in Shelton and passes to Monster Mini Golf in Orange, Rockin’ Jump Trampoline Park in Trumbull, and “IT,” the ropes course at Jordan’s Furniture in New Haven.

The event was emceed by John Vazzano, chef and owner of Vazzy’s restaurants.

VITAHLS is a childhood obesity prevention initiative collaboration between Griffin Hospital, Yale Griffin PRC, and the Ansonia, Derby, Seymour, Shelton, and Naugatuck school districts. 

Since 2011, VITAHLS has integrated a variety of nutrition and physical activity programs into the existing school structure to help reduce childhood obesity.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital. 

Cooking competition stirs creativity at Griffin Hospital in Derby

From left: Arlinda Peraj of Seymour, Anthony Nakis of Derby, Alyssa Teixeira of Shelton, and Haylee Johnson of Ansonia competed at the third annual Valley Initiative to Advance Health and Learning in Schools Healthy Cooking Competition Finals. / Contributed photo

DERBY - Sixth grader Haylee Johnson of Ansonia, was top chef at the third annual Valley Initiative to Advance Health and Learning in Schools Healthy Cooking Competition.

Johnson’s Butternut Squash French Toast was named best by a panel of judges that included elected officials and representatives from Ansonia, Derby, Seymour and Shelton at Griffin Hospital May 17. 

Johnson’s recipe beat out tasty and healthy entries by Alyssa Teixeira of Shelton, Anthony Nakis of Derby, and Arlinda Pera, of Seymour.

“Each year, the contest provides a fun and exciting way for local students to showcase their talents for cooking, and to encourage a passion for both healthy eating and cooking within the local community,” said Amy Bethge, MPH, VITAHLS Coordinator at The Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center.

The four contestants advanced to the finals by winning regional competitions in their school district. 
All finalists received a gift tote from Massaro Community Farm filled with a children's cookbook, a $20 gift certificate for produce from the farm, movie passes to Seymour Entertainment Cinemas, a personalized apron, and other items. 
As the grand prize winner, Johnson also received a gift certificate to SportsCenter of Connecticut in Shelton and a Nutri Ninja Blender.

The event was hosted by Chef Anne Gallagher and Diane D'Isidori, MD, co-founders of the Plow to Plate coalition, which works to combine healthcare leadership and community-based programs to promote local foods and agriculture as a critical means to well-being and disease prevention.

VITAHLS is a childhood obesity prevention initiative collaboration between Griffin Hospital, Yale Griffin PRC, and the Ansonia, Derby, Seymour, and Shelton school districts. 

Since 2011, VITAHLS has integrated a variety of nutrition and physical activity programs into the existing school structure to help reduce childhood obesity.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Irving School students in Derby enjoy learning to play golf

Fourth grader Bria Hayden practices hitting the target in the Irving School gym./ Contributed photo

DERBY - Students at Irving School recently were introduced to the game of golf through The First Tee program.

The program promotes healthy, active lifestyles for young people through the game of golf. 
The First Tee is an international youth development organization introducing golf and its inherent values to young people. 

Christine Ortiz, Irving School’s Physical Education/Health teacher worked to bring the program to the school. 
“The First Tee is designed around teaching students the game of golf, as well as helping them develop The First Tee Nine Core Values, which are honesty, integrity, sportsmanship, respect, confidence, responsibility, perseverance, courtesy and judgment,” Ortiz said. 

Under Armour sponsored Irving School and provided $3,750 in funding for the First Tee’s National School Program. 
The fee includes a full Kindergarten through Grade 5 curriculum, equipment for students, and three-hour online teacher training for Ortiz. 
At Irving School, students in grades K-5 will be introduced to golf through activities and skills stations while learning the core values that can extend throughout the school as well as at home and in their communities. Lessons are delivered and skills are practiced once per week for 40 minutes. 

VITAHLS partnership
The Derby School District is partnered with the Valley Initiative to Advance Health & Learning in Schools. 
VITAHLS brings together Griffin Hospital, the Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center, and the Seymour, Ansonia, Derby, Oxford, Shelton school districts and the Emmett O’Brien Regional Vocational Technical School in Ansonia. 

The mission is to develop, implement, evaluate, and sustain a Valley-wide, school-based childhood obesity prevention program to reduce the prevalence of obesity in students in grades Pre-K-12. 
Ortiz is an active member of VITAHLS and represents the school at the monthly collaborative meetings along with Jessica Cahill, RN. 

Principal Jennifer Olson said, “The First Tee golf program is another opportunity to expose our students to an activity that promotes health and wellness. Many of our students would not get an opportunity to learn about this game at such a young age without a school-based program like this one.” 

According to The First Tee, “research has shown the primary reason young people, especially those who come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, do not play the game is due to a lack of affordable junior golf programs.” Ortiz said.
“The students are having lots of fun and are excited about learning how to use all of the new golf equipment," she said.
Fourth grader Bria Hayden said, “I want to learn how to get better at hitting the targets.” 
Aniyah Roman, a kindergartener said she liked when “they got to take turns using the golf clubs.” According to the First Tee website, there are currently 86 elementary schools in Connecticut participating in the program. 
Avid golfer and Derby Public Schools' Business Manager Mark Izzo says, “I started golfing when I was in my twenties. In the time I have been golfing, I can say this humbling game has helped me further develop as a player, teammate, and individual. The First Tee Nine Core Values will allow our young students to develop these critical life-skills at a very early age. ” 

Olson said, “I want to thank Mrs.. Ortiz for seeking out this program for our students. We are tremendously grateful to Under Armour and the team from the First Tee for helping to make this possible for the students here at Irving School.” 

Youth development organization
The First Tee was established by the World Golf Foundation in November 1997 as a not-for-profit organization 501(c)3. 
The initial focus was on creating affordable access for those not previously exposed to the game of golf. 
It has since broadened its focus to that of a youth development organization that teaches life skills using golf as a platform. 
Founding partners include the PGA TOUR, LPGA, PGA of America, USGA, and the Masters Tournament. 


This is a press release from Irving School.

Derby Middle School student wins Valley-wide cooking contest

Derby Middle School sixth grader Danny O'Hara makes his winning creation,"Pick-A-Pepper Bean Salad," in the kitchen at Griffin Hospital in Derby. 
At right is John G. Prendergast Elementary School, Ansonia sixth grader George Fischer who was busy creating his original recipe, "Fruit Ice Cream Cones." 


The students were competing in the second annual Valley Initiative to Advance Health and Learning in Schools (VITAHLS) cooking contest.

The two other contestants were Seymour Middle School sixth grader Viktoria Biblekaj, who offered Vicky’s Honey Apple Sandwiches, and Perry Hill School, Shelton fifth grader Emily Vasser who entered her “Goodtella Cookies” recipe made with Nutella hazelnut chocolate spread.

Everything looked delicious! It must have been difficult for the judges to pick a winner.

Congratulations go out to all the student/chefs.


Please read my story in the Valley Independent Sentinel.

 

Derby student's recipe takes the cake in cooking contest

Derby Middle School sixth grader Danny O'Hara, left, anxiously awaits the judges' opinion of his original recipe, "Pick-A-Pepper Bean Salad," at Monday's second annual Valley Initiative to Advance Health and Learning in Schools cooking competition at Griffin Hospital in Derby.
Congratulations go out to Danny today! His healthy recipe won the contest.


Stay tuned for a story in the Valley Independent Sentinel.