“It’s really exciting,” Glades Middle Principal Krista Herrera said. “It’s a huge thing for our kids that the Dolphins come out and they take the time to do this. They get to meet the team and they are real people that they see on TV, so it becomes very real to them. I think the time commitment means a lot to them. You give children a little something extra, and it makes all the difference in the world.”
Glades Middle School was founded in 2004 and serves just over 1,500 students. The school is a big advocator of exercise and healthy living, offering a wellness program and a healthy lunch menu to its students.
Twan Russell, Director of Youth and Community Programs, began the event by speaking to the kids about the importance of their education, physical fitness and making positive choices. The students then enjoyed six different drills, ranging from catching the football to running in between pads.
“I think the kids learned a lot today,” Troy Drayton, Miami Dolphins Youth & Community Programs Coordinator, said. “Exercising every day and being physically fit is very important to their overall health.”
The Miami Dolphins Youth Programs’ mission is to emphasize the importance of education, physical fitness, and positive choices for kids in a safe and fun environment.
“The Dolphins are making an extremely positive impact today,” Herrera said. “I know there will be incredible chatter in the cafeteria today, and this will be talked about over the next few weeks.” For more information on the Miami Dolphins Youth Football Clinic, Youth Football Camps, or school visits, contact the Miami Dolphins Youth and Community Programs Department at (305) 943-7272 or visit the Dolphins Academy website.
