(Whitney Point, N.Y.) January 5, 2021

Thirty lucky seniors from Whitney Point High School participated in a Zoom call with Buffalo Bills Hall of Fame running back Thurman Thomas on Tuesday. The school earned the opportunity for their students by winning an American Dairy Association North East contest created to help cafeterias serve more locally sourced, farm fresh foods like milk, cheese and yogurt and to educate students about where their food comes from.

Thomas spoke to students about the importance of nutrition, the role dairy plays in a healthy diet and how to stay active through Fuel Up to Play 60, a partnership between local dairy farmers and the National Football League.

“I think for student athletes, as much as you work on the field, you have to work just as hard off the field to be able to put the right things inside your body,” Thomas told the students.

In addition to the virtual visit with the NFL player, students at Whitney Point High School also received at-home physical activity equipment kits, Buffalo Bills merchandise and Fuel Up to Play 60 branded items.

The school was selected from a pool of 45 districts in New York that entered American Dairy Association North East’s “NY Thursdays” promotion that ran from Oct. 6-Nov. 30. To enter the contest, students watched a brief video about New York dairy farmers. The NY Thursdays program began in 2015 in New York City as a way to bring local products — including milk, cheese and yogurt — to school cafeterias every Thursday. Whitney Point was included in this program after it expanded to Upstate New York in 2017.

To arrange an interview with Whitney Point students/staff, please contact Public Information Coordinator Maggie Gilroy: mgilroy@btboces.org or 607-341-3124. Maggie also has more photos on hand by request.

For more information on the American Dairy Association North East, contact Public Relations Specialist Greg Szklany: GSzklany@Milk4u.Org.

Please see below for photos of the conversation. We have also attached a brief snipped from the conversation for your use.

Full screen of participants in the Zoom meeting
Computer screen during the Zoom meeting
Thurman Thomas speaking in a Zoom meeting
Students socially distanced and masked joining a Zoom meeting