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Posted on Fri, Jun 7, 2013 : 10:33 a.m.

White House to honor WISD Superintendent Scott Menzel as YMCA Champion of Change

By Katrease Stafford

The White House in Washington, D.C. on Friday will honor Scott Menzel, superintendent of the Washtenaw Intermediate School District in Ann Arbor, as one of 12 people across the nation who are YMCA “Champions of Change.”

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Scott Menzel

Menzel is at the White House awaiting the award ceremony, which is scheduled to begin at 12:45 p.m. The Ann Arbor YMCA CEO Cathi Duchon and Fran Talsma, vice chair of the YMCA Board of Directors and liaison for the Pioneering Healthy Communities of the Michigan Alliance of YMCAs, are at the White House as well.

Jan Hack, Ann Arbor YMCA communications director, said it's a possibility that First Lady Michelle Obama may give the recipients their awards, but that hasn't been confirmed yet.

"It’s the first time that our YMCA is receiving this award from the White House," Hack said. "It's an extradorinary award for Scott Menzel and the children of Ypsilanti. Scott gave us the support of getting in those schools. It’s a really terrific partnership and we’re honored that’s been recognized on a national stage."

This particular Champions event will focus on YMCA leaders and Y Partners for their efforts around the country in transforming communities and making them better places for children to live.

Each honoree has played an instrumental role in strengthening the community by addressing child hunger and reducing obesity and improving education.

Menzel is an advocate for the Y and its Healthy Eating and Physical Activity standards, which are incorporated into all Y programming for children.

Hack said Menzel has supported the YMCA programs offered during the summer and after school in the Ypsilanti and Willow Run areas, which have provided opportunities for more than 600 underserved children to participate in recreational programs that they might not otherwise have had access to.

In a statement, Menzel said he's extremely honored that the Ann Arbor YMCA deemed his advocacy for their programs worthy of receiving the prestigious award.

"However, the real champions are the men and women who put energy into providing exciting and healthy activities for the hundreds of students in Ypsilanti who benefit from their efforts," Menzel said. "The Ann Arbor Y identified a need in our community, childhood obesity, and implemented after-school and summer-school programs designed to address that need, in partnership with the school district. On behalf of our students who experience the joy of creative and organized activity while learning healthy eating habits, I am grateful."

The Champions of Change program was created as an opportunity for the White House to feature Americans who are doing extraordinary things to empower and inspire members of their communities.

The award ceremony will be live streamed on the White House's website at 12:45 p.m.

Katrease Stafford covers Ypsilanti for AnnArbor.com.Reach her at katreasestafford@annarbor.com or 734-623-2548 and follow her on twitter.