Jake Steinfeld, Chairman of the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, announced that three Sacramento schools and 116 schools state-wide have been named finalists in the 2011 Governor’s Challenge Competition.  The Governor’s Challenge Competition is a contest that promotes increased physical activity and better nutrition among California’s children.  The three Sacramento school finalists are:

• Caroline Wenzel Elementary
• Hollywood Park Elementary
• Prairie Elementary

The Governor’s Challenge is to be active 30-60 minutes a day, at least three days a week for a month.  All three of the Sacramento school finalists had 100% of their students successfully complete at least one Challenge this year. 

“Congratulations to all the Sacramento students, parents and teachers who have been stepping up to make fitness a priority all year,” said Steinfeld.  “And a special congratulations to the school principals and Governor’s Challenge Coordinators who have been relaying the message that being active not only helps you get healthier, it helps your mind work better and boosts your confidence and self-esteem too!”

The 116 school finalists named today are now under consideration for prizes including 6 brand new fitness centers valued at $100,000 each and 11 Regional Awards of $6,000 each, which will be used to buy new physical activity equipment and other school supplies.  Award winning schools will be announced at a special ceremony at the Capitol in September.

Statewide more than 1.4 million participants recorded more than 8 million days of physical activity through the Governor’s Challenge in 2011.  Complete physical activity records of participating schools in the Governor’s Challenge can be found at www.CalGovCouncil.org.

“I want to emphasize that during these times when budgets are so tight, we’ve been able to promote the Governor’s Challenge without adding any burden to California taxpayers,” said Steinfeld.  “Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, - Anthem Blue Cross Foundation, the Coca-Cola Company, CVS/pharmacy, General Mills, and Kaiser Permanente - a record 1.4  million California children, parents and teachers signed up to take the Governor’s Challenge this year.” 

Anthem Blue Cross Foundation is the title sponsor of the Governor’s Council Spotlight Awards that fund the Competition’s three grand prize fitness centers.  The Coca-Cola Company is the sponsor of an additional three Live Positively Fitness Center awards that will be donated to schools this year.  CVS/pharmacy sponsors the Governor’s Challenge Competition Front Runner Awards and the $6,000 Regional Awards.  General Mills’ sponsorship funds the Certificates of Completion which students completing the Governor’s Challenge receive.  Partners of the Governor’s Council include Tuff Stuff Fitness Equipment, which helps equip the fitness centers the Council awards, 24 Hour Fitness which provides free passes to high school students taking the Governor’s Challenge, and Mammoth Mountain Ski Area which provides free lift tickets to k-12 students taking the Governor’s Challenge.

About the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports
The California Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to promoting physical activity for all Californians with an emphasis on children and youth.  Council members include Chairman Jake Steinfeld, Vice Chairman Peter Vidmar, and California sports legends such as Tony Hawk, Misty May-Treanor, and Laila Ali.  Governor Brown is the Honorary Chairman and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson is the co-Honorary Chairman.   Governor’s Council key initiatives include the Governor’s Challenge, the Governor’s Council Spotlight Awards presented by the Anthem Blue Cross Foundation, the Live Like a Champion Tour powered by Anthem Blue Cross and Exercise is Medicine.  Founding sponsors are Anthem Blue Cross Foundation and Kaiser Permanente.  Other sponsors include The Coca-Cola Company, CVS/pharmacy and General Mills.  For more information, visit www.CalGovCouncil.org.