Healthy eating makes for healthy families, and the Arundel Middle School PTA is spreading that message for their community. Recently the group won a National PTA grant to sponsor an event that promoted the idea of fitness and nutrition and its important to student success.

The grant paid for the school's recent "So You Think You Can Cook?" healthy cooking contest and expo, where parents, staff members, and, yes, students entered their favorite dishes that offered delicious taste and a healthy alternative.

"This is a great way for us to show our families the resources that are in the community for healthier living," said Principal Shawn Ashworth.

A variety of nutritional, wellness, and fitness providers from the community attended the event, providing information, tests, and products that promote wellness for the entire family.

Sponsors included the Nautilus Diner, Biddle Street Catering, LA Fitness, Drs. Leary and Burroughs DDS, Whole Yoga, MOMS Organic Market, Dietician Barbara Nekula, DJ Stone, and Momma Roma.

Participants in the contest provided ingredients and samples of their entry dishes. Judges included Chef Lou Woods of the Anne Arundel Community College's HCAT culinary school and Brunno Romeo, chef and co-owner of Momma Roma's in Piney Orchard. He began in the restaurant business in Italy when just 13 years old. He loves to cook with fresh ingredients that make dishes contain more nutritional value.

The winning entry was provided by Aqilah Toney - a turkey chili - that will be served at the local Nautilus Diner. Proceeds from diners ordering the dish will to to the school.

Tonya Toney of the AMS PTA wrote the grant proposal that paid for the event. "Our organization is all about our students," she told the attendees. "Every person in this room is joined in a common purpose to help our children achieve success."

To view the photos below, click on the thumbnail. 

Captions:

Row 1
a)  Judges Lou Woods and Bruno Romeo taste the entries in the "So You Think You Can Cook?" contest.
b)  Staff member Lynn Coates offered her Devil Egg Delight dish as an entry.
c)  Priscilla Diacont assists Assistant Principal Pamela Dolan with preparing her tray for the judges.
d)  Mary Fricano of Drs. Leary and Burroughs dental office provided dental information to the guests.

Row 2
a)  Hailey Deerwester and Aquilah Toney dish out their delicious chilli entries.
b)  Amanda Tucker and Joe Andrucyk of LA Fitness conducted body fat testing.
c)  Little Akemi Toney showed her preference for healthy eating.
d)  AMS teacher Kathy Miller visits with Damean Ritter of MOM'S Organic Market.

Row 3
a)  Jeanne Toussant, with daughters Amanda and Rebecca, show off their ribbon won with their Fluglebutter recipe.
b)  Dietician Barbara Nekula had a wealth of information about healthy eating.
c)  Tatiana Moore offered her Pasta Delight dish for the contest.
d)  Colorful posters by AMS students promoting healthy eating were posted for the event.

Row 4
a)  Principal Shawn Ashworth poses with contest judges Lou Woods of AACC's HCAT program and Brunno Romeo of Mamma Roma's.
b)  PTA President Susan Deerwater and Tona Toney provide remarks and thanks on behalf of their organization.
c)  Laurie Hyland Robertson offered information on Whole Yoga and Whole Chiropractic of Odenton.