Students will compete in push-ups, sit-ups, standing broad jumps, rope-jumping and a mental challenge that began in January with an overall competition March 14.

The challenge is sponsored by Horizon NJ Health, the Joetta Clark Diggs Sports Foundation and EmPoWER Somerset.

Director of Health and Wellness with EmPoWER Somerset Kristen Schiro said the competition is part of its coordinated school health grant.

“We have four schools together that worked on this grant with us,” Schiro said. Participants include Piscataway, Perth Amboy, East Brunswick and the Academy at Woodbridge, which all are part of the county vo-tech school system.

“Each school will conduct the competition in their own school and in the beginning of April, we will hold an awards ceremony at the East Brunswick Vo-Tech,” Schiro said.

Diggs, a four-time Olympian, is instrumental in this challenge. Schiro said that EmPoWER wrote Diggs into the grant as somebody who would be involved in the health and wellness of the grant.

By building confidence and encouraging a “can-do” attitude among the youth, the fitness challenge is making a major difference in their lives, said Karen L. Clark, vice president of Medicaid HBCBSNJ/president of Horizon NJ Health. Horizon NJ Health is on board with the challenge.

“Each year, we look forward to partnering with the Joetta Clark Diggs Fitness Challenge,” Clark said.

“Joetta Clark Diggs, the founder, has developed a program that motivates young people and ultimately contributes to a lifelong pattern of healthy behaviors,” she said.

“Joetta is a role model for children and adults alike with a commitment to healthy communities and the well-being of individuals that is heartfelt, positive and contagious,” she said.

Diggs provided the students with four trainers, including Crystal Boyd, Olivia Roman, Reggie Lampley and Janine Davis.

According to Schiro, the trainers come in to work with the students on all activities that will be implemented in the challenge. She said the final goal is to help these students see health and fitness as something fun and important to strive for.

Diggs said that by partnering with Horizon NJ Health, she is in a position to send a message that there are healthy alternatives to achieving a fit body, starting with the youth and extending to the families and communities.

“With the help of Horizon NJ Health, the Joetta Clark Diggs Sports Foundation takes great pride in bringing this fitness challenge, which is a free program, to students across New Jersey,” Diggs said.

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A Hillsborough High School senior was honored by the Township Committee on Tuesday for receiving the Joetta Clark Diggs Genius Award.

David Pulsifer received the award at the 7th Annual Joetta Clark Diggs Sports Extravaganza held in September at the Bridgewater Marriott.

Diggs herself, a Hillsborough resident and a U.S. Olympic track star, was at the Township Committee meeting when Pulsifer was given a proclamation by Mayor Carl Suraci and the Township Committee.

Pulsifer was one of four high school students selected to receive the Genius Award.

He was honored for his outstanding academic average (a 102.7 weighted GPA at the high school) and his participation on the school’s cross country and track teams.

In addition, Pulsifer volunteers for the Extended School Year Program at the high school where he helps special needs children with their education during the summer months. He is also treasurer of the National Honor Society, where he serves as treasurer.

The Sports Extravaganza helps fund the Joetta Clark Diggs Foundation’s activities, which promote involvement in physical activities for girls and boys ages 5 through 12.

Diggs is a four-time Olympian and had been considered America’s premier female middle distance runner for more than three decades. A graduate of Columbia High School in Maplewood and the University of Tennessee, Diggs is seen by track enthusiasts as the most prolific 800-meter runner of all time.

Some of the athletes in attendance at the Sports Extravaganza included 1996 400-meter Olympic gold medalist Derrick Adkins, 1984 welterweight Olympic gold medalist Mark Breland, former New York Jets running back Bruce Harper, former Negro League pitcher Pedro Sierra, 1964 Olympic bronze medalist Edwin Roberts, and former 55-meter hurdles world record holder Candy Young.

• Four-Time Olympian—Diggs was a track and field runner in the Olympics in 1988, 1992, 1996 and 2000, and has competed in every outdoor USA Championship or Olympic Trials since 1979. And of those, she won five of the last eight.
• Top 10—Diggs has ranked among the top 10 American runners for the last 21 years, and has been ranked top 10 in the world since 1991.
• Joetta Sports & Beyond—Diggs created this organization to bring health, fitness and empowerment to corporations, colleges and many more.
• “P Principles for Success”—Diggs wrote this book, on lessons she learned from track and field.
• Joetta Clark Diggs Sports Foundation—Diggs is executive director of this foundation, which promotes the importance of physical activities for students, and also provides opportunities for them in sports and entertainment.

View this article here: http://bridgewater.patch.com/articles/5-things-to-know-about-joetta-clark-diggs

Joetta Clark Diggs — a four-time Olympian — has been recognized by the Hall of Fame as one of the greatest female 800-meter runners in U.S. history. Today she is dedicated to educating children about the importance of healthy lifestyles. “She is passionate about getting kids to overcome physical obstacles,” says Patricia Barksdale, her Financial Advisor, who helps Clark Diggs meet the challenges of caring for family and managing her own sports foundation.

Merrill Lynch Wealth Management makes available products and services offered by Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (MLPF&S), a registered broker-dealer and Member Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC), and other subsidiaries of Bank of America Corporation. Insurance and annuity products are offered through Merrill Lynch Life Agency Inc., a licensed insurance agency and wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of America Corporation.

Trust and fiduciary services are provided by Merrill Lynch Trust Company, a division of Bank of America, N.A. Banking products are provided by Bank of America, N.A. and affiliated banks, Members FDIC and wholly owned subsidiaries of Bank of America Corporation.

Investing in securities involves risks, and there is always the potential of losing money when you invest in securities.

Investment products, insurance and annuity products:

MLPF&S and Merrill Lynch Trust Company make available investment products sponsored, managed, distributed or provided by companies that are affiliates of Bank of America Corporation or in which Bank of America Corporation has a substantial economic interest, including BofA™ Global Capital Management.

Here Are The Final Recipients:

Abisola Adewolu, Ridgefield Park Junior-Senior High School

Ashley Ezema, Hunterdon Central Regional High School

David Pulsifer, Hillsborough High School

Daivona Amani, East Orange Campus High School

NEW BRUNSWICK – Four-time Olympian, Author, and Businesswoman Joetta Clark Diggs will
receive the “Alec Baker Memorial Award,” in recognition of her outstanding work with
the youth in New Brunswick. This momentous event will take place on May 2, 2012 at 7pm
in the Atrium of the Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital. Mike Blackwell,
New Brunswick’s Superintendent of Recreation, will present the award and had this to
say, “Joetta has worked very hard to make sure that the children in our area received
quality programs. Her Track & Field camp is a huge success for us in New Brunswick and I
look forward to partnering with her on other initiatives.” New Brunswick’s Mayor
Jim Cahill, Congress Representatives, Senators and other dignitaries are expected to attend this annual
Knight’s of Columbus community service recognition event. “I am humbled and honored to be selected to
receive this award and I will continue to work hard providing quality programs to children and families,”
stated Mrs. Clark Diggs.

The daughter of Dr. Joe Clark, subject of the movie “Lean on Me” and Jetta Clark, Mrs. Clark Diggs is a graduate
of the University of Tennessee and is considered by track enthusiasts as the most prolific 800m runner of all
times. She was ranked among the top ten in America for over 20 years and ranked top 10 in the world nine
times. She was also a host and producer of “Fitkidz, NJ” a cable fitness show for children in New Jersey.

Today, Clark Diggs is a motivational speaker, author of Joetta’s “P” Principles for Success, Life Lessons Learned
from Track & Field, and Founder and Executive Director of the Joetta Clark Diggs Sports Foundation, Inc. a
community-based nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization committed to teaching good health and positive work
ethics associated with the participation in sports to girls and boys (ages K-12). She is dedicated to providing
programs that address and offer solutions to the childhood crisis of sedentary lifestyles and poor eating habits.

For more information about the Joetta Clark Diggs Sports Foundation, Inc., speaking engagements, events, and
programs please visit: <http://www.joettasportsandbeyond.com>

********

EAST ORANGE, NJ – Joetta Clark Diggs, 1988, 1992, 1996 & 2000 track and field Olympian, entrepreneur, and author will partner with lead sponsor State Farm, and co-sponsor East Orange General Hospital, to provide the Joetta Clark Diggs’ Financial & Fitness Expo II on Saturday, April 21, 2012 at East Orange Campus High School, 340 Prospect Street, East Orange, NJ from 8:30am-2:00pm. This  extraordinary event is FREE and open to the public. It is designed for anyone who wants to take control of their lives and learn more about healthy living resources in their area – for both their financial and physical fitness. Participants must register to attend. Registration is free, quick and easy:

 Click Here to Register - – – Vendor Registration Closed

Last year, approximately 200 people attended the Joetta Clark Diggs’ Financial & Fitness Expo and we expect an even larger crowd this year! Expo activities will include FREE health screenings, fun workout activities with fitness expert Nikki Kimbrough of Get Fit w/Nik, nutrition workshops with an EOGH Nutritionist and savvy wealth management advice from a State Farm financial expert. There will also be informative vendor demonstrations, games, prizes and FREE lunch for all registered Expo participants, featuring 4-time Olympian and USATF Hall of Famer, Joetta Clark Diggs, providing brief remarks. Clark Diggs is also the Founder and Executive Director of the Joetta Clark Diggs’ Sports Foundation, Inc., a community-based, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization committed to teaching good health and positive work ethics associated with the participation in sports to boys and girls (ages K-12). “By offering free
programs such as our Head 2 Toe Fitness™ and events like the Joetta Clark Diggs’ Financial & Fitness Expo II, we are in a position to send a message that there are healthy alternatives to achieve a fit mind and body, starting with our youth and extending to the families and communities. I am thankful that State Farm and East Orange General Hospital recognize the importance of these types of community programs,” stated Clark Diggs.

Additional vendor and sponsorship opportunities still exist for the Joetta Clark Diggs’ Financial & Fitness Expo II. However, vendor space is limited, so reserve today by obtaining a Vendor Registration Packet at www.joettasportsandbeyond.com or email joettasb@yahoo.com to request a Sponsor Packet. The deadline for sponsor and vendor registrations is April 6, 2012. This is a unique chance to give back to the community and also to network and expand contacts, reaching out to consumers that might otherwise be overlooked.

Plan to attend and learn how to exercise your mind and body, and have fun at the same time.

http://www.statefarm.com/aboutus/aboutus.asp
State Farm® is a Fortune 100 Company. For more information, go to
East Orange General Hospital (EOGH) is a multifaceted community hospital. For more information, go to http://www.evh.org/

Clark Diggs is an avid proponent of youth educational programs and is also the Executive Director of the Joetta Clark Diggs Sports Foundation, Inc., a community-based nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization committed to teaching good health and positive work ethics associated with the participation in sports to girls and boys (ages K-12). “By partnering with Sanofi US, it tells the community that Sanofi US is truly interested in the health and well-being of people everywhere, starting with our children,” stated Clark Diggs. Similarly, Melissa Feltmann, Director, North America Home State Public Affairs at Sanofi US, had this to say, “As a leading diversified healthcare company based in New Jersey, we are happy to sponsor this program that teaches the importance of health and wellness to
children in our communities.”

For more information about the Joetta Clark Diggs Sports Foundation, Inc., speaking engagements, events, and programs please visit: www.JoettaSportsandBeyond

Sanofi is a diversified global healthcare leader with employees in more than 100 countries. Sanofi US is headquartered in Bridgewater, NJ and employs more than 11,000 professionals throughout the US, dedicated to researching, preventing and treating diseases, to improve the lives of people everywhere. For more information about Sanofi US, please visit www.sanofi.us

Clark Diggs is an avid proponent of youth educational programs and is also the Executive Director of the Joetta Clark Diggs Sports Foundation, Inc., a community-based nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization committed to teaching good health and positive work ethics associated with the participation in sports to girls and boys (ages K-12). “By partnering with State Farm and their local agents, it tells the community that State Farm is truly a good neighbor and wants good things to happen in Plainfield,” stated Clark Diggs. Similarly, Arlene J. Lester, Public Affairs Specialist at State Farm, had this to say, “State Farm is excited to partner with the Joetta Clark Diggs Sports Foundation, Inc. to bring not only health and fitness to consumers, but to provide useful information about how they can be financially fit as well.”

For more information about the Joetta Clark Diggs Sports Foundation, Inc., speaking engagements, events, and programs please visit: <http://www.joettasportsandbeyond.com>

State Farm® is a Fortune 500 mutual company, comprised of insurance and financial services companies that together serve tens of millions of customers in the U.S. and Canada. For more information about State Farm ®, please visit <http://statefarm.com>