Whitaker Elementary School PE Teacher Sarah Niblock has been awarded the Triad Area American Heart Association Rookie of the Year award.
“Sarah was a true pleasure to support and partner with,” said the local school engagement director for the AHA. “She has such great passion for student health, for our work, for encouraging students to learn the health and wellness messages in the program, and for her position at WS/FCS. I wish I could clone her as a volunteer, and I truly think she is amazing. I also am so pleased she said she had fun and that it was a great experience.”
Niblock led her first Kids Heart Challenge program at Whitaker, achieving an impressive 63% of school enrollment participating. The school families raised over $19,090 for the mission of the AHA. Whitaker had not participated in a Kids Heart Challenge in almost 10 years.
By achieving 50%+ of school enrollment signing up for the program, Niblock earned an additional $500. This brought her total earned givebacks to $1,800 for PE needs. Her enthusiasm for the program and exceptional communication with parents led to her success.
Niblock also had an impressive 123 families learning stroke awareness and hands-only CPR through the program. She was encouraged to participate and mentored by Gena Pagano, a teacher at Kernersville Elementary School.
Sarah’s volunteer efforts to teach heart health and make it fun for the students inspired so many of the Whitaker students, and she’s made a true impact on her community.
The AHA’s Southeast United States Senior Vice President Jason Shields and North Carolina State Vice President Debra Lowder joined Local Director Kim Pendleton to personally thank Niblock and award her the newest Rookie of the Year award.
Submitted by Dr. Karen Brown, WS/FCS Director of Healthful Living and Driver Education