Burgum: Three North Dakota schools each win a new fitness center through DON’T QUIT! Campaign

Gov. Doug Burgum and National Foundation for Governors' Fitness Councils (NFGFC) Chairman Jake “Body by Jake” Steinfeld announced the three North Dakota schools that were selected to each receive a state-of-the-art $100,000 DON’T QUIT! Fitness Center.

The multimillion-dollar DON’T QUIT! Campaign has named Jim Hill Middle School in Minot, Rolla School in Rolla and Solen School in Solen as the state’s most outstanding schools for demonstrating leadership in getting and keeping their students fit. This year, the NFGFC program will have gifted fitness centers to 40 states, and the foundation plans to reach all 50 states in the coming years.

“North Dakota elementary and middle schools submitted some outstanding applications to the DON’T QUIT! campaign,” Burgum said. “Our administration has always believed in making health and fitness a priority for our children, and we are thrilled and grateful that three schools in our great state will be rewarded with a brand new DON’T QUIT! Fitness Center. Congratulations to Jim Hill Middle School, Rolla School and Solen School!”

“We had a tremendous response from schools throughout the great state of North Dakota. None of this would have been possible without the incredible support of Governor Doug Burgum, who helped make this campaign a huge success by putting the health and well-being of North Dakota’s kids first,” Steinfeld said. “These three schools really embodied our mission of building a nation of the fittest, healthiest kids in the world. I’m thrilled to announce that Jim Hill Middle School, Rolla School and Solen School are all being awarded a brand new $100,000 DON’T QUIT! Fitness Center. Congratulations to all, we look forward to visiting these three schools during our ribbon-cutting ceremonies this fall!”

Each fitness center is financed through public/private partnerships with companies including The Coca-Cola Co., Anthem Foundation, Wheels Up and Nike, and does not rely on taxpayer dollars or state funding. My Fitness Store Commercial provides all the fitness equipment. The foundation’s goal is to build a nation of the fittest, healthiest kids in the world.

For more information about the NFGFC, visit www.natgovfit.org. And check out the priceless reactions in the video above from the winning schools when they heard the two magic words, “You Won!”

Burgum appoints Sadie Hanson as student member on North Dakota Board of Higher Education

Gov. Burgum on Friday appointed University of North Dakota student Sadie Hanson to a one-year term as the student representative on the state Board of Higher Education.

Hanson, who will be a senior this fall at the University of North Dakota, is studying public affairs and marketing as well as pursuing a master’s in public administration. She has served as the commissioner of governmental affairs for UND Student Government, is a member of UND’s Strategic Planning Committee and Student Ambassadors, and is involved in a variety of community groups.

“Sadie’s experience in student leadership positions across UND and Grand Forks make her well-positioned to represent her peers and drive transformational change for the future of North Dakota’s higher education system,” Burgum said.

Hanson’s term on the board begins July 1. Burgum expressed his gratitude to current student member Gracie Lian for her service on the board.

The Board of Higher Education has eight voting members appointed by the governor, including one student member, and two non-voting members who represent the North Dakota University System’s faculty and staff. The board oversees the system’s 11 public colleges and universities.

2022-2023 Governor’s Band from Bismarck Century performs at State Capitol

Members of the Century High School Wind Ensemble performed at the North Dakota State Capitol on Friday in Memorial Hall. Lt. Gov. Brent Sanford delivered remarks and presented the ensemble with the designation as the 2022-2023 Governor’s Band.

The Century High School Wind ensemble is directed by Chris Dasovich and consists of 47 students. The band performed a selection of musical pieces to the public.

Members of the Jamestown High School Choir, the 2022-2023 Governor’s Choir, will perform at the Governor’s Summit on Innovative Education on June 9 at Dickinson Middle School. Registration to attend the summit is free and may be completed at 2022InnovativeEdSummit.eventbrite.com.

Sanford speaks at 2022 Midwest Summit for Women in Law Enforcement

Lt. Gov. Brent Sanford was among the featured speakers at last week's 2022 Midwest Summit for Women in Law Enforcement in Fargo.

The two-day, sold-out conference brought law enforcement officers from North Dakota, Minnesota, Montana, South Dakota and Colorado together to discuss topics including leadership, work-life balance, mental health care and "cracking the brass ceiling."

The North Dakota Highway Patrol launched a "30x30" initiative in February with the objective of increasing the percentage of women in their ranks to 30 percent by the year 2030, Sanford noted, citing the leadership of Col. Brandon Solberg, the Highway Patrol's superintendent, and Sgt. Jenna Clawson Huibregtse, the patrol's planning officer and cultural liaison coordinator.

"Whether you're from a rural area like McKenzie County or an urban area like the Fargo-Moorhead-West Fargo metro area, all of you play a critical role in shaping the future of law enforcement in your states and in our nation," Sanford said. "By striving to ensure that our law enforcement agencies reflect the communities they serve, we will have stronger police departments and sheriff's offices and safer streets."

Registration for the Governor's Summit on Innovative Education is now open!

The FREE event will continue to focus on innovative instructional best practices to personalize learning, as well as other community-derived solutions to best prepare young people for the 21st century economy and citizenship.

Reserve your seat today at the link below:

Registration is open!

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Currently, there are 48 boards or commissions openings accepting applications.

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Main Street Initiative Survey

The North Dakota Main Street team is excited to begin planning visits for 2022 and beyond. We genuinely look forward to the opportunity to meet with MSI communities again and catch up on the progress and reflect on the challenges brought in 2020 and 2021.

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