Cooke Elementary and Rutherford Elementary Win the 2025 Empowering a Healthier Generation Awards
George L. Cooke Elementary (Monticello) received the First Place $75,000 Healthier Generation Competition Award.
Empowering a Healthier Generation Celebration and Awards Ceremony
[LIBERTY, NY] – Sullivan 180 hosted the Empowering a Healthier Generation (EHG) Celebration on Wednesday at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts. The event recognized the health and wellness accomplishments of Sullivan County public schools and marked the conclusion of this round of EHG Competition. The evening also featured a special recognition of Dr. Robert Dufour, Sullivan BOCES Superintendent, on the occasion of his upcoming retirement.
George L. Cooke Elementary (Monticello) received the First Place $75,000 Healthier Generation Competition Award. The Second Place $50,000 Award to Kenneth L. Rutherford Elementary (Monticello). Judge’s Choice Awards in the amount of $5,000 and $10,000, respectively, went to Eldred Junior Senior High and Rockland Middle/ High School, formerly Livingston Manor. In addition, Turtle Awards of $500 each were presented to schools and staff advancing wellness in several areas
Connection to Nature: George L. Cooke Elementary (Monticello) and Rockland Middle High School in Livingston Manor
Mental Health: Fallsburg JSHS and Kenneth L. Rutherford Elementary (Monticello)
Nutrition: Liberty Elementary and Rockland CSD, formerly Livingston Manor CSD
Physical Activity: Sullivan BOCES and Sullivan West Elementary
Special honors included: Both Grant Project of the Year and Committee of the Year to Liberty Elementary (Alicia Houghtaling and Mayer Bayer), HG Advisor of the Year to Kelly Pratcshler (Eldred JSHS). New this year, Champion for Wellness awards went to Jan LeMyre (Rockland CSD), Monticello and Rockland Facilities teams, Fallsburg JHSH Hope Squad, Monticello’s Robert J. Kaiser Middle School’s Spartan Club, and Monticello High School student Celeste D’Andrea.
“What we are seeing now is so much more than programs and projects, it’s transformation,” said Meaghan Mullally-Gorr, Sullivan 180 Director of Health & Wellness. “Over the past two years, our Healthier Generation Advisors and school communities have gone deeper, embedding wellness into the culture of their schools. This work is not only changing policies and practices, but also creating real, lasting change for students, families, and by extension the entire Sullivan County community.”
Each school district presented on their work, highlighting projects such as outdoor classrooms, composting, expanded physical activity, healthy food access, and social-emotional learning initiatives.
“This is an ongoing effort, slow and steady, not unlike the turtle winning the race,” said Sandra Gerry, Founding Chair of Sullivan 180. “Celebrations such as this evening remind us of the progress we are making, together, on behalf of our children and their future.”
Turtle Awards were sponsored by local businesses and organizations including Hudson Valley Credit Union; John H. Eschenberg, Inc.; M & T Bank; Poley Paving & Construction Corporation; Rourke Law; Sullivan County Democrat; 98.3 WSUL Heart-A-Thon. Donations received during the 2025 “Hudson Valley Gives” campaign also contributed to the Turtle Awards.
Empowering a Healthier Generation is a school-based initiative offered by Sullivan 180 in partnership with Sullivan County public schools. The goal is to create a grassroots movement that will change policy and environments, while demonstrating that individuals and families have an important role to play in building a culture of health for themselves and the next generation.
To learn more visit www.sullivan180.org or contact Meaghan Mullally-Gorr at 845-295-2685 or Meaghan@Sullivan180.org.