Scholarship awarded to Pascack Hills High School student committed to wellness

The American Heart Association’s school-based program, American Heart Challenge™, awarded Julia Stieglitz at Pascack Hills High School in Montvale, New Jersey with $1,000 college scholarships recognizing their commitment to wellness and community health. In total, five high school juniors and seniors were awarded scholarships from schools across the country.

The American Heart Association, the world’s leading nonprofit organization focused on heart and brain health for all, offers a service-learning in-school fundraising program that prepares students for success by offering leadership development opportunities, community service hours and a college application booster in addition to supporting their physical and emotional well-being.

Juniors and seniors across the country who participated in their in-school or virtual American Heart Challenge program for the 2020-2021 school year were eligible for the scholarship program. Student applicants were required to demonstrate leadership skills within their school’s American Heart Challenge event and showcase their passion for impacting community health. Applications also required a letter of support from their school American Heart Challenge advisor.

2020-2021 scholarship recipients:

  • Lauren Bowen of Ridge Point High School in Missouri City, Texas
  • Keira Bricker of Wharton High School in Tampa, Florida
  • Leon Lavong of Savanna High School in Anaheim, California
  • Jenna Milbrodt of La Canada High School in La Canada, California
  • Julia Stieglitz of Pascack Hills High School in Montvale, New Jersey

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ 2018 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans only 20% of kids get enough activity to meet physical activity recommendations. The American Heart Challenge is rooted in proven science which has shown that kids who are regularly active have a better chance of a healthy adulthood.

Funds raised by American Heart Challenge participants support the American Heart Association’s scientific research and outreach programs, while creating healthier communities. Schools are encouraged to register now for the American Heart Challenge to bring expanded curriculum resources to their classrooms and in-home learning environments for the 2020-21 school year.

To learn more about other school programs, or to make a donation to the American Heart Association, please visit www.heart.org/kids.

Department of Health and Human Services, Physical Activity Guidelines, page 14. Available for download here: https://health.gov/paguidelines/default.aspx

Department of Health and Human Services, Physical Activity Guidelines, page 14. Available for download here: https://health.gov/paguidelines/default.aspx