Written by Selene Luong(Class of 2027)
Photos by Blue Zones Team

On the morning of Wednesday, the current and past DVGS Blue Zones team members joined together with representatives from the Blue Zones Project® to take part in the  DVGS Community Certification Review, a national team site visit. The event highlighted how our school continues to follow the Blue Zones guidelines to live healthier, happier lives.

During the presentation, each team member spoke about one of the Power 9 principles and how DVGS integrates these ideas into student life. For example, students explained how “Right Tribe” is encouraged through after-school clubs that help build strong friendships and a sense of belonging at the start of each year. Others shared how “Plant Slant” connects to our community during Heart Health Month, when members promote plant-based foods through gardening and fundraise through selling healthy vegetarian snacks. One of the Power 9 principles is “Wine at 5.” Since we are students, we adapted this idea into a school-friendly version by hosting tea parties to encourage relaxation and connection among peers. Students are striving to bring Blue Zones practices into everyday school culture.

Following the presentations, the team headed outside for a special ceremony to unveil the smoothie bike, created by the DVGS Blue Zones student team during the 2024–2025 school year. An old bike was transformed into a fun way to make healthy drinks. The team worked in smaller groups to solve different challenges, such as learning how to keep the bike stationary, dissecting and studying a blender to understand how it works, and experimenting with how the spinning bike wheel could spin the blender’s blades.

At the ceremony, the smoothie bike made its first drink by blending a refreshing pear juice. While there are a few minor adjustments still to be made, the project showed the student’s innovation, teamwork, and dedication.

The Community Certification Review visit and the smoothie bike presentation highlighted the student’s commitment to the Blue Zones Project. By following the Blue Zones goals, our school continues to strive toward building a healthier, more connected, and more positive environment for everyone.