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Sequoyah High School employee, Laura Sequichie, exercising with the new equipment.

TAHLEQUAH, OK - Sequoyah High School recently renovated their fitness center. The new 5000 square foot fitness center is complete with treadmills, cross-training equipment, and weight machines. SHS will hold an open house Thursday, April 25 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. to celebrate the renovation.

"If anyone is interested in getting into shape, this is definitely the place to go," said Dr. Dusty Delso, executive director of education services for the Cherokee Nation, " This equipment is state of the art."

"We're trying to work with schools in our jurisdictional area to teach children healthier lifestyles," said Teresa Chaudoin, diabetes coordinator for the Cherokee Nation. "We want Sequoyah to be a model school to other schools in our area."

Students in physical education classes use the Sequoyah fitness center during the day, and it is open to Sequoyah faculty, Cherokee Nation employees, Housing Authority of the Cherokee Nation employees, and W.W. Hastings Indian Hospital employees after 5:00 p.m.

"Our goal is to try to get more Cherokee people to become active," added Chaudoin. "Activity is the best way to prevent or delay the onset of diabetes." A diabetes prevention grant from the Cherokee Nation made the renovation possible. The grant, worth $100,000, was able to cover the cost of the new equipment and the renovation of the fitness center, which will include new dressing rooms for both males and females.

Diabetes is a major health concern among the Native American community. Nearly 16 million people in the United States suffer from diabetes, and approximately 10% of the Cherokee population is diabetic. With this in mind, the Cherokee Nation is administering the diabetes prevention grant to area schools to help give them the equipment necessary to help prevent diabetes in their community.

A study published in the February 7 issue of the New England Journal Of Medicine by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services found that a good diet and adequate exercise could delay and possibly prevent diabetes in groups of people who are genetically predisposed to the disease.

"This research conveys a powerful message of hope to individuals at risk for type 2 diabetes, a painful, life-threatening disease that has been increasing in this country along with obesity," said Tommy Thompson, HHS secretary. "By adopting a moderate, consistent diet and exercise program, many people with one of more of the risk factors for type 2 diabetes can stop the disease before it becomes irreversible."

The public is invited to attend the open house and refreshments will be served. Sequoyah High School fitness center is located on the Sequoyah High School campus, west of Tahlequah on Highway 62. For more information, please call Tony Pivec, Sequoyah High School Superintendent, phone: 918-456-0631.

Sequoyah High School "Home of the Indians!"       Sequoyah High School, an Indian boarding school, originated in 1871, when the Cherokee National Council passed an act setting up an orphan asylum to take care of many orphans that came out of the Civil War. Sequoyah High School's approximate 300 enrollment represents 42 tribes and 14 different states. Students are eligible to attend if they are members of federally recognized Indian tribes or one-fourth blood descendants of such members.