INSPIRED BY FIRST LADY MICHELLE OBAMA BENNETT STUDENT CREATES EXERCISE PROGRAM

Ka’la Hill, during the Bodies by Bella Program. "GREENSBORO, NC — Bennett College Junior, Ka’la Hill is stretching her way to the top with her program “Bodies by Bella.”  She was inspired to start the program by First Lady Michelle Obama.  Hill, who is from Upper Marlboro, Maryland, started this program as a way to encourage her fellow students to become more physically active and maintain healthier lives. On September 29, 2014, Hill scheduled her first Bodies by Bella class.  At first, attendance was very inconsistent.  “I kept showing up, even if no one was there, but that gave me time to learn new things to contribute to my workouts,” she said.   This year, her class popularity has grown from 12 to 20 students in attendance.  Aside from just wanting to help her sisters, Hill attributes her inspiration for starting her program to First Lady Michelle Obama’s, Let’s Move Campaign.  The First Lady’s campaign seeks to solve the epidemic of childhood obesity.  “I would love to get the chance to say thank you to the first lady for inspiring me and teaching me the importance of being physically active,” she said. Hill is also grateful for the Bennett College experience she has had thus far.  “Bennett taught me how to be a leader. The support of professors and the encouragement of my sisters has helped get me where I am today.” Now that Hill is a junior, she has been thinking about her plans after Bennett College.  She wants to earn a master's degree in social work and start a community-based program to target childhood obesity.  She also wants to implement nutritional programs for low-income people.  Until then, she is focusing on how to continue fitness programs for Bennett College.  “By the time that I leave [Bennett], I would like to have several fitness programs in place for my sisters.” She says that one of the most rewarding experiences from her program is when she hears her sisters say that they have lost weight or that they are seeing a difference. Bodies by Bella is offered every Monday and Wednesday from 6 p.m. to 7:15 p.m., in the Gym at Bennett College." - A Press Release