Very proud of Kate! Catalyst rock star!!!

Printed in Quad Community Press - link here

Centennial sophomore giving school heads up on health

Best and Brightest: Kate Kuehl

Published:Tuesday, March 15, 2011 12:38 PM CDTLINO LAKES - With help from teachers and a few classmates, Centennial sophomore Kate Kuehl is trying to make her school a healthier place.

Kuehl is an activist at statewide youth movement organization Catalyst, which campaigns for healthy eating and fights the tobacco industry. Her efforts have so far brought in $1,000 in grant money to support healthy eating at Centennial's cafeteria. Now Kuehl is featured on Catalyst's website (www.bethecatalyst.org) in a cooking video and at the St. Paul Farmer's Market.

The Quad Press asked Kuehl about her start with Catalyst, what she's learned through it and her favorite foods to make at home.

Quad Press: What is Catalyst?

Kate Kuehl: It's a youth movement for health. This year it's all about healthy eating and physical exercise and in the past it was about fighting the tobacco industry. I'm on the youth board and the staff helps us implement it at our schools.

Q: How did you get involved?

K.K.: I heard they were in need of members last year and I said 'I would love to.' At the summit (April 9 and 10) there's a multi-night convention where you learn about healthy eating and activism.

Q: What do you feel you're getting out of it?

K.K.: I've learned a lot about leadership training. Before I didn't have that. I'm still learning and it has given me confidence and people skills. At the summit, I''ll be heading a cooking portion where I'm showing kids how to cook healthy meals fast.

Q: In your cooking video, you are making bruschetta. What is your favorite kind of food to prepare and why?

K.K.: I'm a big stir fry person. I love it because I can just throw whatever vegetables I have in a pan and cook it with sauce. Very easy and tasty. I like eating and making a lot of Asian food.

Q: Do you ever get the responsibility of cooking for the family?

K.K.: Whenever I have time I'm pretty much the cook for my family. My mom is gluten-free so she likes spaghetti with gluten-free noodles but I also make a bunch of stuff. I'll make grilled cheese or mac and cheese too, even if it's not the healthiest thing to eat.

Q: How were you able to secure grant money for Centennial? How much was it and how is it being used?

K.K.: It was a mini-grant for $1,000 through Catalyst. I filled out the info and application forms. Right now we brought in scooters for the kids in the elementary schools. We're also hoping for samples of healthier foods in the a la carte lines that are more healthy and tasty to see if people will like them and if they will catch on.

Q: Are you involved in other activities at Centennial?

K.K.: I'm vice president of the book club. We meet weekly and go through a book. I'm also into anime, manga and poetry.

Q: Have you considered where you want to go to college and what you would study?

K.K.: I'm not sure but I would perhaps go to the University of Minnesota to study biology. I've always loved science and animals and biology is fun.

Q: Have a dream job in mind?

K.K.: I want to get a PhD in marine biology even though there aren't that many jobs in the field.

Watch videos featuring Kuehl making bruschetta and at the St. Paul Farmer's Market at www.bethecatalyst.org.

- Interview compiled by Nicholas Backus 

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