Exercising Your Character Event Lineup to Include Minnesota Vikings Player Stefon Diggs and U.S. Olympian Hannah Brandt
April 10, 2018 | News & Press Releases
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WEST DES MOINES, Iowa (April 10, 2018) —Today, Hy-Vee, Inc. and The Robert D. and Billie Ray Center at Drake University announced the keynote speakers at this year’s Exercising Your Character event on Thursday, April 12, at Hy-Vee Hall in Des Moines. The lineup will include Minnesota Vikings’ wide receiver Stefon Diggs, U.S. women’s hockey team Olympic gold medalist Hannah Brandt, five-time WNBA champion and Minnesota Lynx forward Rebekkah Brunson, and 12-year-old motivational speaker “King Nahh.”
Exercising Your Character, an annual event sponsored by Hy-Vee and The Robert D. and Billie Ray Center since 2007, is a fast-paced, high-energy program for fourth- and fifth-grade students that includes music, dancing and inspirational messages from famous athletes and motivational speakers. Iowa students learn about health and wellness and the importance of good character while having fun and getting exercise.
“The incredible speakers we are hosting this year have achieved some amazing accomplishments,” said Randy Edeker, chairman of the board, president and CEO of Hy-Vee. “We know these individuals will inspire the more than 10,000 kids attending with their energy and stories of perseverance and determination.”
As part of the energy-filled morning, students will participate in dance and exercise routines led by Hy-Vee’s KidsFit Director Daira Driftmier and nationally recognized sports announcer Michael Zimmerman of RipRoar Events, who will emcee the program.
“This event is a unique opportunity to provide Iowa students with education, exercise and character-based inspiration,” said Scott Raecker, director of The Robert D. and Billie Ray Center. “Role models like the ones at Exercising Your Character can have a positive impact on Iowa youth. Their message is sure to make a significant impression on the students and teachers who will be attending.”
Media will have an opportunity to conduct one-on-one interviews with the speakers from 10 a.m. to 10:20 a.m. on Thursday, April 12, at Hy-Vee Hall, immediately before the event begins at 10:30 a.m. Biographical information can be found here.
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Hy-Vee, Inc. is an employee-owned corporation operating more than 245 retail stores across eight Midwestern states with sales of $10 billion annually. The supermarket chain is synonymous with quality, variety, convenience, healthy lifestyles, culinary expertise and superior customer service. Hy-Vee ranks in the Top 10
Most Trusted Brands and has been named one of America’s Top 5 favorite grocery stores. The company’s more than 80,000 employees provide “A Helpful Smile in Every Aisle” to customers every day. For additional information, visit www.hy-vee.com.
The Robert D. and Billie Ray Center provides character and leadership development strategies to improve civility and develop ethical leaders throughout the world. Through public awareness and programming grounded in research, The Ray Center features two programs, CHARACTER COUNTS! and Excellence with Integrity. The Ray Center’s initiatives benefit people of all ages and are easily adaptable for families, schools, workplaces, and athletic teams and organizations.