The Milan News-Leader
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Principal in contest to change lifestyle
Community can support Tetens by voting
By Brian Cox, Staff Writer
PUBLISHED: January 31, 2008
Birthday cake, birthday cupcakes with sprinkles, birthday brownies or fudge.
Advertisement
When a Symons Elementary School student has a birthday, an obligatory sampling of these sweets and more all make their way to the desk of Principal Nancy Tetens.
It's hard to say no.
Well, not any more.
On Tuesday, Tetens posted a sign outside her office door that reads: "Please Don't Feed the Principal."
The gesture is one more step toward accomplishing Tetens' resolution to become a healthier role model for her students.
"I want to be a good role model for my students," said Tetens, "but because of my weight, I'm not setting a good example. My goal is to lose weight and get healthy."
In addition to seeking support and incentive from her students, there is another motivating factor behind Tetens' drive to achieve her goal: a trip for four to Disney World and $10,000.
Tetens was recently selected as one of 10 finalists in Lifetime's Clean Sweep Challenge, which features 10 women who have committed to making a change in their life.
Tetens came across the contest one night while browsing the Web site www.mylifetime.com and decided to submit a video clip of herself talking about her New Year's resolution to get healthy.
"I think it's bothered me for a long time that I say one thing and do another," Tetens said about her motivation to enter the contest.
A day later, Tetens got a call from Lifetime informing her that of all the entries submitted, she had been selected a finalist.
"I think I was shocked at first," said Tetens. "I mean, weight loss is weight loss. I think what caught their eye was my involving the kids."
And involve the kids she has.
She has held short assemblies with the students, explaining the contest and her resolution to foster healthier habits.
"I'm doing this for myself and I'm also doing it for you," Tetens told a collection of fifth-graders in the Symons Elementary School auditorium.
Being forthright with the students about her struggle with weight and engaging their help has given Tetens a greater incentive to achieve her goal.
"Now that I've said I'm going to do it to the kids, I can't let the kids down," said Tetens, who has been with Milan schools for 32 years and the principal at Symons for five. "I know I'll stick with it because I can't let them down."
For the next two and half months, Tetens will submit a weekly Web video diary to the mylifetime Web site and viewers will vote for their favorite finalist. Voters have the opportunity to win a spa trip for two to the Bahamas.
Tetens is determined to win. She has a driving force behind her commitment: Her students.
"I want the students to know you can commit to something and stick with it," she said. "I wanted them to see that even as adults we can set a goal and stick to it."
To vote for Tetens and see her videos, visit www.mylifetime.com/fun-games/sweeps/win-luxurious-spa-trip-two.
Staff Writer Brian Cox can be reached at 429-7380.
Not all stories are guaranteed to appear
online. The Web edition contains a reasonable
sampling of the print edition stories.
For the most complete news coverage, we invite you to
subscribe
to the print edition of the paper.
Expanded
Web
Coverage
Staff Blog, "Inside The Newsroom"
TOP JOBS
