Pop music star Beyonce recently partnered with First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! initiative to create the Let’s Move! Flash Workout. The Oconaluftee Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center in Cherokee, N.C. has embraced the Let’s Move! concept, and launched a Healthy Eating and Active Lifestyles program. Oconaluftee has gotten behind this national movement by producing a student fitness video using the music and choreography of the Let’s Move! Flash Workout. 

As with many songs, the name ‘Move Your Body’ says it all. The flash workout is a dance, an exercise, and a fun activity that all students can participate in. Over 20 students performed the flash workout in front of the entire campus to show how simple and easy it is. “It was truly amazing and I really enjoyed it” said student choreographer Kayosha Roseboro.
For several days leading up to the showcase, students learned the steps, the rhythm changes, and how to coordinate movement in a large group. The flash workout also allowed for many styles of dance including Dancehall, Hip Hop, Salsa, ‘old school’ Running Man, and today’s top moves like ‘the Dougie’.
Beyonce’s lyrics throughout the song ‘Move Your Body,’ encourage those who may be hesitant to get active, “a little sweat never hurt nobody” and that realize that there is no wrong way to get moving.
“This whole campaign is about encouraging people around the country to move their body in any way, shape, or form but just move your body” concluded Roseboro.
As an education and training program focused on young adults, Forest Service Job Corps can play a critical role in helping students make healthy choices as adults.
“What we’re talking about is shifting a sedentary and unhealthy body mindset to one of smart food choices and energizing activities” said campus Trainee Employee Assistance Program Coordinator, Lakeisha Gallaspy. “If a flash workout is what it takes in 2011 then that’s what we’ll do!”
The Oconaluftee Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center works closely with the Forest Service’s National Forests in North Carolina. It is accredited by the Council on Occupational Education and currently serves 104 students.
The mission of the U.S. Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. Recreational activities on our lands contribute $14.5 billion annually to the U.S. economy. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to state and private landowners, and maintains the largest forestry research organization in the world.