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Show Volume XXII Issue III The Ogden Valley news Page 13 January 15, 2014 Snowcrest Jr. High National Academic League 2013-2014 Valley Elementary News! Christmas Tree Jubilee By Valley Elementary Sixth-Grader Reporter Grace Mull On November 25, the Valley Elementary sixth grade donated their 26th annual tree to the Christmas Tree Jubilee. The Jubilee, held from November 26 through November 29 at the Eccles Conference Center in Ogden, is an opportunity to help children with disabilities in the Weber and Ogden School Districts. This year’s tree theme was very earthy and full of nature (wild). It was very creative with antlers, pheasant feathers, and pinecones. It was designed by Emily Hogge and sold for $900! Adriann Stocker said, “I loved being able to help set up the tree. It was all beautiful!” Pictured right is the 6Valley Elementary sixth-grade tree at the Christmas Tree Jubilee festival of trees. Their tree sold for $900.00! Grandparents’ Day at Valley Elementary By Valley Elementary Sixth-Grader Reporter Grace Mull On November 4 thru November 6, the Valley Elementary students came up with a great idea to spend time with their grandparents. Children were allowed to contact their grandparents and invite them to lunch in the cafeteria and gym. It was exciting for the kids to spend time at school with their grandparents. Abbe Avner’s grandma came to eat with her. Abbe said, “I loved that she could be here! It was way fun.” National Academic League 2013-2014 students along with coaches Maria Inglefield and Amy We plan to repeat this event in the spring, so be ready! Lloyd. Pictured above, but not in order, are Marissa Ahlstrom, Baylee Bastron, Treighton Bindrup, Valdemar Castillo, Anna Crookston, Emily Good, Emma Goodson, Britton Hanni, Brock Hanni, Elizabeth Judd, Tristen Kelson, Jessica Lewis, Gabriella Mortarotti, Lauren Newton, Ashtyn Parmley, Shaelee Satterthwaite, Gracie Songer, Zachary Thomas, Stephanie Vaughn, Alexis Wendell, Ayla Witt, and Eleana Witt. TOPS Recognition Celebrates Winning “Losers” is an important lifestyle. I was only 56, and I had a lot to live element of any journey to a healthier lifestyle — whether you’ve completed a small victory or reached the ultimate goal. Members of TOPS Club, Inc. (Take Off Pounds Sensibly), the nonprofit weight-loss support organization, were recently celebrated for their weight-loss efforts at its annual three-day event, International Recognition Days (IRD). This year’s event took place July 18 through July 20 in Calgary, Alberta. The festivity honored TOPS award winners who, with determination, perseverance, and support from fellow members, achieved the greatest weight loss in their category in 2012. Wendy Vaux of Greenfield Park, Quebec was crowned 2012 International Queen with an incredible total weight loss of 209.5 pounds. James Murphy of Aylesford, Nova Scotia, 2012 International King, lost an impressive total of 137.5 pounds. Royalty are those individuals who, at the end of the year, have officially recorded the largest weight loss from their original, starting weight to goal weight, regardless of the time taken to reach goal. “Like many others, I’ve yo-yo dieted all my life,” says Vaux. “I’ve tried every diet under the sun. But on April 8, 2011, I was admitted to the hospital. The doctors thought I had had a heart attack, but they couldn’t run any tests, as I was too large to fit in the machines. They told me I’d have to wait until the following Monday to see if another local hospital had an angiogram table that could hold my weight. Throughout that weekend in the hospital, I was thinking, ‘It’s finally time for a lifestyle change.’ I joined TOPS May 2, 2011 at 359.5 pounds. I love going to meetings each week. Everyone is so encouraging. I was so happy to reach my goal weight of 150 pounds on September 24, 2012 (my 24-year wedding anniversary), going from a 6XL to wearing a size 10. What a way to enjoy life with my grandson and family! I love running into someone I’ve known for most of my life and seeing the confused look on his or her face when they don’t recognize me. The reaction of shock when I tell them who I am is priceless.” Notes Murphy, “I’ve had two heart attacks and was on 40 units of insulin. I knew I had no other choice but to drastically change my for. Three friends suggested that I join their TOPS chapter. I took their advice and joined on January 13, 2011, weighing 342 pounds. It was scary walking in the door at first. By December 31, 2011, I had lost 55.75 pounds. I was told that I had inspired others with my success story. This motivated me to lose the rest of my weight. I feel wonderful and alive! I’m no longer taking insulin and many of the other medications I was on. Changing my eating habits was hard, but I did it. I eat a very well balanced diet now, with a lot of healthy foods. I slowly incorporated exercise into my daily routine. I walk for one or two hours a day. When I started it was a chore; now I truly enjoy it. Wearing my new smallersized clothes makes me feel good about myself. I was always a ‘big boy’ and everyone called me Big Jim - never just Jim. Goodbye forever, Big Jim! Now, it’s Slim Jim!” “TOPS’ founder, Esther Manz, felt that anyone who achieved their goal of losing weight should be treated like royalty,” says TOPS president Barbara Cady. “Though purely symbolic, these winners embody the best of what TOPS is all about: real people, real weight loss, through healthier lifestyles, personal accomplishment, and overall wellness. TOPS has been by these members’ sides every step of the way on their weight-loss journey and is proud to provide the support and motivation to sustain their remarkable achievements.” State Royalty included Utah Queen Paula Bradford from Malad City, Idaho who lost 82.75 lbs.; and Utah King John Krommenhoek of Orem, Utah who lost 85.5 lbs. TOPS Club Inc. (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) is the original weight-loss support and wellness education organization. Founded more than 65 years ago, TOPS is the only nonprofit, noncommercial weight-loss organization of its kind. TOPS promotes successful weight management with a “Real People. Real Weight Loss.®” philosophy that combines support from others at weekly chapter meetings, healthy eating, regular exercise, and wellness information. TOPS has about 150,000 members—male and female, age seven and older—in thousands of chapters throughout the United States and Canada. To find a local chapter, view www.tops.org or call 800-932-8677. Photos of students and grandparents by Kimberlee Kelson of Eden. Surprise Guest Appears at Valley Dance Academy Revue By Peter Rona The dance academy performed their annual Christmas program December 19 at Valley Elementary. Family and friends were invited. The show was extraordinary, highlighting the skills, talents, and hard work through the practice of many of our young students from Ogden Valley. The excitement of Christmas spread through the performance, when the holiday music and stories expressed through dance, were viewed for all to enjoy. After the concert, the students were sitting on the steps of the stage, singing. The curtains were pulled open, and . . . SURPRISE! Santa Claus appeared! He wished all the boys and girls a Merry Christmas and invited the young ones in the audience, and those on the stage steps, to come up and visit with him. They were able to talk with Santa, get a candy cane, and even have their picture taken with him. Fun was had by all. What a way to start a Christmas holiday vacation, but Santa Claus had to quickely get back to work; he had a busy schedule ahead of him. For more information on the Valley Dance Academy, visit <ValleyDanceandFitness.info> Fitness Classes in the Valley Fitness Classes at High Altitude GET FIT TODAY! Mon/Wed/F ri Advanced 6:30 - 7:30 AM Tues/Thurs Beg ~ Intermed 8:00 - 9:00 AM $5 per class ~ All fitness levels & ages welcome. 801-391-6446 or 801-745-2653 Located at 4776 E. 2600 N. in High Altitude Fitness in Eden behind the old car wash. Private Kindergarten Program, Preschool for 2, 3 and 4 year olds When: Classes Begin February 3 thru March 31, 2014 Where: to Be Determined Call 801-745-7407 to make your reservation. |