The Electric City is on the Move
I had the pleasure of visiting Scranton, Penn., on February 9 to celebrate the 2nd anniversary of Let’s Move! with an enthusiastic group of community leaders, volunteers and young people. Sitting alongside Scranton Mayor Chris Doherty, I heard from a number of incredibly dedicated people who are working together to create a healthy environment for Scranton residents. From community gardens to the famous Steamtown Marathon, this “Electric City” certainly has the right spark for creating a healthy and active community. Scranton recognizes that everyone has a role to play in reducing childhood obesity!
Dr. Koh with students from Northeast Intermediate School.
After the community meeting, I joined nearly 750 students, faculty and staff from Northeast Intermediate School in the Scranton High School gym. Dancing in the shape of the American flag and dressed in red, white, and blue t-shirts, the students celebrated the Let’s Move! anniversary. Their heart-pounding foot stomps and rhythmic claps to Beyonce’s “Move your Body” were followed by a special dance performance of the Cha Cha slide. Everyone was moving and with high-fives and beaming smiles, the students were delighted to perform their flash mob dance to mark this important milestone. “We take exercise very seriously in this community,” Mayor Doherty told me. “We’d like to properly carry on Mrs. Obama’s message for our next generation to live well.” They certainly had the right moves for this Let’s Move anniversary!
