Oklahoma! Shape your future!
Published: February 14th, 2011
By Billie Rodely
Published 14-Feb-2011
A pep-rally style atmosphere filled the gymnasium of the Stanley Hupfeld Academy at Western Village Monday morning (February 14). It was the launch of a massive statewide health initiative called “5320.” The number and logo refer to how many Oklahomans might be saved each year if Oklahoma simply met the national average for health measures.
Stan Hupfeld, Chairman of INTEGRIS Family of Foundations introduced Governor Mary Fallin, Dr. Terry Cline, Commissioner of Health and newly-appointed Secretary of Health for Oklahoma, Matt Robinson, Vice President of Small Business & Workforce Development with The State Chamber and Dr. Mary Anne McCaffree, OU College of Medicine.
Dozens of Academy students represented the children of Oklahoma and the push to “get moving.” The students say they get to dance every morning in school so it does not seem like a regular gym class or just exercising.
In her State of the State address on February 7, Fallin referenced the poor status of Oklahoma in its ranking as 46th in the nation in terms of health. This morning, Fallin tied the health issue to her mission to bring jobs to the state and aid the economy by developing a healthier workforce. She said, “Today, we are standing up and saying, we are going to make health a priority for our future.”
Dr. Cline challenged the 200 gathered this morning by asking “Who are you willing to sacrifice? I’m not willing to sacrifice one single individual.”
A full commercial media campaign is underway, organizers of the event said. Dr. Cline says some federal funds were used to create and develop “5320: Shape Your Future”, but volunteer efforts and thousands of dollars worth of media time on various outlets is donated.
The launch/rally closed with a student demonstration of moves. Fallin, Secretary Cline, and others among the hundreds gathered in the gymnasium got up and danced with the children. This eye-witness can attest: You had to be there.
Note: Billie Rodely is a writer for CapitolBeatOK. An award-winning journalist, she is a member of the Oklahoma Journalism Hall of Fame.