ROBERT PIERCE
• Leader & Times
Athletes at Southwestern Heights High School will now have a new tool to help them with performance and recovery.
Wednesday, the school received a custom-branded, glass-front refrigerator and a $2,500 chocolate milk grant from the Dairy MAX program, Fueled by Farmers, which supports local schools and student athletes with milk cooler grants.
The cooler is designed to keep milk stocked and cold, ready to use for athlete performance and recovery, providing a science-backed combination of carbohydrates and high-quality protein to help refuel muscles after competition.
Wednesday’s event featured local dairy farmer Chris Yohn from High Plains Ponderosa Dairy, highlighting the important connection between local dairy farm families and the students they help nourish.
School leadership, including USD 483 Superintendent Dan Frisby, and Dairy MAX representatives were also available to discuss the role dairy plays in student nutrition and athletic recovery.
Fueled by Farmers is a grant program created by Dairy MAX to help schools improve access to dairy by funding the purchase and installation of milk coolers. The program connects students to their local dairy farm while supporting school nutrition efforts and dairy health.
Dairy MAX represents dairy farm families across eight states, who together are responsible for producing 15 percent of all U.S. milk.
Also as part of the ceremony, students researched chocolate milk and the benefits of drinking chocolate milk after a workout to enhance recovery, and each student spoke about the benefits and science chocolate milk recovery.
“Many students commented they didn’t know about the benefits of recovering with chocolate milk, and this greatly impacted their knowledge of sports nutrition,” Dairy MAX Territory Manager Kamy Whatley said.
Yohn spoke about how the dairy industry is excited to be a part of nourishing students and helping students recover quickly in their athletic pursuits.
“As dairy farmers, we care deeply about the communities we serve,” he said. “Being able to provide chocolate milk to local student athletes is a meaningful way for us to support their health, recovery and success. It’s rewarding to know what we produce on our farm is helping fuel the next generation both on and off the field.”
Whatley spoke about DMAX’s mission and the passion of farmers.
“Our dairy farmers are passionate about three things – caring for their cows, producing dairy sustainability and supporting the communities they call home,” she said. “The Fueled by Farmers cooler and chocolate milk grant is a meaningful way for local dairy farmers to give back and make a positive impact in local schools.”
Frisby spoke about how he is excited to see the grant placed in the Heights school. He said the funds provided will make a great impact on student nutrition and performance.
“We are very fortunate to have this grant opportunity with High Plains Ponderosa Dairy,” he said. “The chocolate milk grant will help our student athletes not only gain strength, but also recover more quickly after workouts and activities. This grant will allow us to provide a quality and healthy product for our student athletes, as well as help them build muscle. It is my hop we will be able to sustain this in the future for other student athletes.”
SWH Coach Matt Bell said he is quite excited about the opportunity the grant supplies.
“It’s long been known athletes need to refuel and rehydrate after exertion, and this grant allows us the immediately ability to do just that after practices and events,” he said. “Thank you to Dairy MAX and the farmers for this fantastic opportunity.”
