Miles for Wellness Challenge 18

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Past Miles for Wellness challenges have taken participants on virtual hikes across our state to experience the splendor of natural marvels. This Move More initiative, Miles for Wellness Challenge 18 took us indoors to enjoy entertaining exhibits at several museums.

Beginning on September 24 and continuing for eight weeks, Miles for Wellness Challenge 18: The Trail of Amusing Museums highlighted amusing and/or unusual aspects from one museum to the next.

Employees started in downtown Raleigh at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences. After exploring the towering globe on West Jones Street, keeping an eye out for Bigfoot as they headed north toward the world’s only Cryptozoology Museum. Next, they ventured west for some musical and magical entertainment. Team members were warned not to be surprised if their heart rate quickens as they make “virtual” stops to explore the unlawful and the mysterious.

The “virtual trail” finished with the most lighthearted museums of the bunch, exploring some unconventional art, and getting a blast from the past at the final stop, Asheville’s Pinball Museum.

The entertaining Challenge 18 provided employees with some unforgettable places and sights across our great state and nation. 

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Bionic Hare Division

First Place:

The “A” Team; NC DOT, Anson County Maintenance

Left to right front row: Mark Hildreth, Michael Harrison, Jeff Davis, Team Captain Susan Thuleen, Team High Stepper Kevin Gathings, and Statewide Wellness Coordinator Katherine Hilliard. Back Row: Carlos Melton, Josh Hatok, and Brett Hildreth. Not pictured: Joel Gatewood and Corey Ricketts.

Second Place:

Quads of Fury; NC School of the Arts

Left to right: Team High Stepper Sesan Oladele, Team Captain Nick Gawlik, Erin Miller, Susan Mecum, Natascha Romeo, Arnold Lane, Debby Pyatt, Tim Greving, and Statewide Wellness Coordinator Katherine Hilliard. Not pictured: Andrea Clemmer and Bobby Lange.

Third Place:

Bionic Steppers; Lenoir Community College

Left to right front row: Richy Huneycutt, Team Captain Sharon Moore, President Dr. Rusty Hunt, Dawn Kantz, and Team High Stepper Samara Taft. Back row: Statewide Wellness Coordinator Katherine Hilliard, Candice Madden, and Mallory Kennedy. Not pictured: Carlos Cotto, Daniel McLawhorn, and Syrina Wimberly.

Super Hare Division

First Place:

The Force; Division 5; NC Department of Transportation

 

Left to right front row: Team Captain Ferdinand Rivera, Jim Simmons, Kelsey Bagwell, Carolyn Powell, and Roger Castillo Santamaria. Back row: NC DOT Wellness Leader Dennis Franz, Jeremy Warren, Derrick Matthews, Dane Barber, and Team High Stepper Sundarraj Isaac. Not pictured: Aaron Harper.

Second Place:

Longleaf Legends; Longleaf NMTC; NC Department of Health and Human Services

Left to right front row: Robin Bass, Team High Stepper Melissa Lewis, Tracie Lindsey, Keenan Rouse, and Julie Stutts. Back row: Sara Crocker, Wendy Godwin, Team Captain Scott Little, Timmy Mozingo, Manuel Mulingbayan, and Longleaf NMTC Director Julie Branch.

Third Place:

Bryan Cruisers; Bryan School of Business & Economics; University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Left to right: Ashley Goble, Karen Brady Siler, Dean Mack Banks, Team Captain Terri Sparks, and Team High Stepper Aprille Black. Not pictured: Bernard Moore, Connie Uselman, Jess Saunders, Mary Ellen Boelhower, Mary Ellen Demaret, and Peter Reynolds.

Hare Division

First Place:

ISD Trailblazers; ISD in Morrisville; UNC Healthcare

Left to right: Team Captain Kari Lindsay, Laura Swank, Harry Walker, and Carol Edenton. Not pictured: Rebecca Cates, Brent Lamm, David Lester, Team High Stepper Aaron Shah, Don Spencer and Mauri Williams

Second Place:

Sippin’ and Steppin’; NC ABC Commission

Left to right: Renee Metz, Burna Mattocks, Team High Stepper Edwin Strickland, Laurie Lee, Jeff Strickland, and Team Captain Charles Metz, Jr. Not Pictured: Agnes Stevens, Moniqua McLean, Rachel Spears, and Yadira Soto.

Third Place:  

BSG; Environmental Analysis Unit; NC Department of Transportation

Left to right front row: Melissa Miller, Team High Stepper Sara Easterly, Kathy Herring, and Marissa Cox. Back row: Chris Manley, Jared Gray, and Mike Sanderson. Not pictured: Team Captain Ashley Cox, Anne Burroughs, and Matt Haney.

Tortoise Division

First and Third Place:

Sole Strutters (1st) and Barefoot Nurses (3rd); Broughton Hospital; NC Department of Health and Human Resources

honorees with awards

Left to right: Director & CEO Vivian Streater, Traci Morley, Barefoot Nurses Team High Stepper Doug Hensley, Robi Baker, Team Captain Sherry Vines, Tonya Norman, Hannah Webb, Crystal Taylor, Melissa Weaver, Ruth Weaver, and Susan Sheary.  Not pictured: Traci Morley, Crystal Pritchard, Rita Stinnett, Melissa Corpening, Kate fisher, Lisa Davis, Sole Strutters Team High Stepper Kenya Hinton, Randolph Harris, Kimberly Bazemore, Lacey Gould, Teresa Higgins, Linae Midgett, and Susan Creswell.

Second Place:

The Neutralizers; NC Innocence Inquiry Commission; NC Administrative Office of the Courts

honorees with awards

Left to right: Julie Bridenstine, Lindsey Guice Smith, Brian Ziegler, Jason Fitts, Team Captain Donna Rowe, Catherine Matoian, Beth Tanner, Statewide Wellness Coordinator Katherine Hilliard. Not pictured: Team High Stepper Derek D’Orazio, Alan Fitts, and Pam Fitts.