Press Releases
CITY of BEAVERTON
PRESS RELEASE Contact: Amy Miner, Public Information (503) 526-3737 / (503) 849-1247 / aminer@ci.beaverton.or.us FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 4755 SW Gr i f f i th Dr . , Beaver ton, OR 97005 www.Beaver tonOregon.gov (503) 526-2222 MAYOR DOYLE AND SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT COLONNA PRESENT FITNESS LEADERSHIP AWARD TO BEAVERTON TEACHER - Don Zehrung to Receive Oregon Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports Award -
BEAVERTON, Oregon (December 8, 2009)
“I was pleased to nominate Don for this award,” said
“It’s been an absolute pleasure for my entire career to work with the children of Beaverton,” said
“I am very proud of Don and he is a worthy recipient of this award. He has dedicated his professional teaching career to educating and modeling for students the benefits of a healthy and active life,” noted
“Fitness Leadership Awards are awarded each year to recognize individuals who have made significant contributions in the area of physical fitness in their community,” said
The Fitness Leadership Award was created to assist Oregon’s Mayors in giving special recognition to individuals who have made significant contributions in the broad areas of physical fitness in their communities. The
– Mayor Denny Doyle, Beaverton Schools Superintendent Jerry Colonna and Brad Anderson from the Oregon Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness presented the Fitness Leadership Award to Conestoga Middle School physical education and health teacher Don Zehrung at the City Council meeting on Monday, December 7, 2009. Mr. Zehrung received just one of 18 total Fitness Leadership Awards awarded this year by the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. Mayor Doyle. “He is an exemplary teacher who is helping kids in our community learn to lead fuller, more productive and ultimately, longer lives through physical fitness.” Mr. Zehrung. “All of us have to take children’s fitness very seriously. We have to get our kids out, get them active, watch what they eat. I’ve spent my life trying to promote this idea. Thank you very much for your support.” Superintendent Colonna. Mr. Anderson. “Mr. Zehrung was more than qualified and the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports is excited to award a 2009 Fitness Leadership Award to him.” Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports asks all mayors across the state of Oregon to nominate individuals within their communities. The Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports reviews the nominations and selects individuals to receive the award. This year Beaverton Mayor Denny Doyle nominated Don Zehrung. About Don Zehrung
Don Zehrung has been a Physical Education and Health Teacher in the Beaverton School District since
1974. During his long teaching career, he has inspired thousands of students to embrace a lifetime of fitness, activity and healthy practices. His dedication, contributions and service to Physical Education and Health
CITY of BEAVERTON PRESS RELEASE PAGE 2 of 2 4755 SW Griffith Dr., Beaverton, OR 97076 www.BeavertonOregon.gov (503) 526-2222 curriculum development and implementation in the School District and statewide are significant. Due to his commitment, the District has won grants to enhance Physical Education in Beaverton schools, bringing the discipline into the 21st Century with innovations that engage and inspire students. In addition, Don has served as a volunteer leader at the state level including the Oregon Coalition for the Promotion of Physical Activity, President of the Association of Physical Education and the Council for Children’s Expanded Physical Education. He is a recognized Physical Education expert, testifying at the Oregon Legislature to advocate for more Physical Education time in school schedules. School Districts will soon be required to increase the amount of time students attend Physical Education classes.
Organizational/Civic Involvement:
1978-1988, 1990-2004 Beaverton Ed. Assn. Building Representative
1984 Oregon Assn. of Physical Education, President
1988-present Council for Children’s Expanded Physical Education, Board of Directors
1996-2005 Conestoga MS Site Council Representative
1997-present Oregon Coalition for the Promotion of Physical Activity
2000-2003-2006 BEA bargaining team member
2001-2004 Oregon Education Assn. PIE Board of Directors
2001-2007 Hope Lutheran Church Board of Trustees
2005-present Beaverton Education Assoc. Executive Board of Directors
Professional Recognition:
1989 Portland State University School of Health and Human Performance, Outstanding Alumni Award
1995 Council for Children’s Expanded Physical Education, Citizen of the Year Award
1997 Oregon Alliance of Health, Physical Education, Recreation. and Dance, Middle School Teacher of the Year
1999 Oregon Alliance of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, Distinguished Service Award
2005 Oregon Education Assn., Political Action Award
2006 BEA Lifetime Achievement Award
2007 Oregon Coalition for the Promotion of Physical Activity, Advocacy Award
About the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports
The Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports is an organization of fitness, health, physical education, medicine, recreation, and sports professionals acting under appointment by Governor Ted Kulongoski. The mission of the Council is to facilitate communications, sponsor projects, and conduct events that promote a healthy lifestyle for all Oregonians.
ABOUT BEAVERTON
Beaverton was recently named the
safest city in the Northwest for the third consecutive year. Among other accolades, Beaverton was also lauded as one of the Best Places to Raise Kids in America by BusinessWeek magazine, one of the Top 100 Best Places to Live in America by Money magazine, an All-America City finalist in 2005, is recognized by the Environmental Protection Agency as a Green Power Community and is designated as a Bronze Award Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists. Beaverton also enjoys the most diverse population (by percentage of population) among Oregon cities. ###