HEALTHY HIGH | HEALTHY CHOICES
The mission of the Healthy High / Healthy Choices program is to empower schools with required health screenings and essential hygiene supplies to boost student well-being and success.
Healthy High / Healthy Choices (HH/HC) originated as part of the Healthy Community Initiative in 2003. Initially, the program aimed to educate students on healthy eating, physical activity, and positive behavior to prevent diseases like obesity, diabetes, and hypertension.
The program featured day-long events at schools where students underwent screenings for weight, height, blood pressure, vision, hearing, spinal, and acanthosis nigricans and participated in interactive sessions with local health professionals. This approach led to significant improvements in students' understanding and behaviors related to nutrition, exercise, hygiene, bullying, respect, safety, and literacy.
As of 2021, HH/HC has shifted focus. The educational component has been phased out while health screenings and essential hygiene supplies continue to be central to the program.
Each year, HH/HC benefits over 1,200 students and involves more than 30 volunteers and partner organizations including Wharton County Junior College ADN students and Victoria College Zelda Allen School of Nursing LVN students.
Former HH/HC participant and Stanzel Scholarship recipient, Violeta Martinez, gives credit to HH/HC for helping guide her to a career choice. Violeta graduated from Texas State University and is now a Registered Dietitian who owns her own business. Violeta enjoys giving back to the Schulenburg and Weimar communities and is now a Stanzel Family Foundation Board Member.
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THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS
RECOGNIZING OUR BEGINNINGS
As the first program director of the foundation, Cyndy Reed was instrumental in designing and sustaining the Healthy High/Healthy Choices program for over sixteen years. Working alongside her, Dr. Olga Duchicela brought invaluable expertise and leadership, significantly shaping the program's approach to community health. Together, they spearheaded efforts to help area students make informed decisions about living healthier lives and preventing diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and hypertension.
The program was a collaborative initiative involving multiple health organizations, counties, Fayette & Colorado Agri-Life, University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston, Youens–Duchicela Clinic, Zelda Allen Nursing, Wharton School of Nursing, and numerous other organizations. For their contributions, Cyndy and Dr. Duchicela were pivotal in the program's success, with Cyndy receiving the President’s Council on Physical Fitness, Community Leadership Award.