Big bird offers healthy advice

Trezeon Griffin wasn't going to let Freddie the Falcon get the best of him.

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Jackie Ricciardi/Staff

Children listen attentively to Freddie's health talk.

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Jackie Ricciardi/Staff

Hephzibah Elementary School pupil Trezeon Griffin talks to Atlanta Falcons mascot Freddie the Falcon during a fitness and nutrition program at the school.

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"You can do it!" the 11-year-old said rapidly before the Atlanta Falcons mascot could distract him again.

Trezeon was one of several Hephzibah Elementary School pupils who had a chance Friday to recall "plays" from Freddie's P.L.A.Y. Book for Fitness.

"It was fun being up there with Freddie," he said. "It was really cool."

The mascot visited to talk about health and fitness during the school's spirit day. He gave the pupils a play-by-play plan to remain healthy: Play actively an hour a day, live healthily and always eat smart.

He also kept their attention by occasionally breaking out into a dance to upbeat music and getting the pupils and teachers involved in the presentation.

Juanisha Travis liked the interactive presentation.

"It was funny," the 10-year-old said. "He didn't make it boring. Everyone around me was paying attention, and we remembered all of the plays."

The plays helped her to learn about ways to stay healthy, she said.

"I learned that everyone should go out and play at least 60 minutes a day and be smart about what we choose to eat," she said. "We have to start taking care of ourselves now so we can grow up to be healthy."

The presentation wasn't a timeout from class, said Tonya Cogle, a third-grade teacher and the school's Parent Teacher Association president. She organized the assembly.

"This program was a part of our curriculum. It did what we are trying to do in our standards-based classrooms now, which is include a lot of hands-on, interactive activities with the kids," she said.

It was also a part of the rounded education the school aims to provide its pupils, said Mary Frances Ellison, the principal.

"Hephzibah Elementary is interested in the whole child," Dr. Ellison said. "We want to make sure that they not only pass tests but they develop a good character and maintain a healthy lifestyle as well."

The school hopes to bring Freddie the Falcon back next school year for another program, Ms. Cogle said.

Reach Nikasha Dicks at (706) 823-3336 or nikasha.dicks@augustachronicle.com.