Faces of Food & Fitness: Nathan Pech
Nathan's Legacy
While many graduates only return to their high schools for five, ten, 25-year class reunions, Nathan Pech walked the halls of his alma mater—Starmont— just a week post graduation.
Several teachers gave puzzled looks. "Back already, Nathan?"
Starmont Middle School Principal, Sue Burrack, invited Pech to speak with eighth and ninth grade students about leadership.
Burrack speaks highly of Nathan. "Nathan has been a great role model for younger students. He sought opportunities beyond normal school activities and gave his time and energy to making a positive difference for others. Also, Nathan discovered a future career direction through his activities that fits well with his interests and skills. He is a terrific young man."
Articulate and with a smooth cadence, Pech gives advice.
"My message to you today is get out there and don't be afraid to stand out. Do what's right for you and society. There are so many opportunities for you just beyond these walls. Don't be afraid to try something."
Pech makes eye contact with everyone. His confidence is evident.
"I'm more comfortable in front of groups, and talking with adults since being involved in Food and Fitness," said Pech.
He continues explaining his involvement with the Northeast Iowa Food and Fitness Initiative (FFI).
Pech was recruited to join Starmont's FFI Youth Team his sophomore year. He served as the Regional Youth Representative his senior year, attending periodic NE Iowa FFI meetings along with Starmont senior, Hannah Andreae.
Originally hesitant to join Starmont's FFI Youth Team, as he was busy with many activities, Pech is glad he made the time. Upon reflection he considers the NE Iowa FFI, "a joy of mine and will always hold a spot in my heart."
Lean and athletic-framed, it is evident Pech lives the life he promotes. While in high school, he helped coordinate the inaugural Strawberry Point Mini-Triathlon and promoted Taste-it-Treats giving elementary students opportunities to sample healthy, local foods. Watch him in action as "Starmont Students take a Salad Break."
He was a member of Starmont's School Wellness Team and work with administrators, teachers, and parents to promote health and wellness. Pech had hoped to see a pasta or salad bar in Starmont's cafeteria during his time, but will look to other students' leadership to achieve this goal. In fall, he will attend Iowa State University to study kinesiology.
Pech also was involved in many service programs, student council, athletics (football, wrestling and track), as well as carried an impressive academic load.
But he also set a lofty lifelong goal while high school, something unique and impressive, for an 18-year-old.
"My goal is to solve world hunger as I go forth in life and hopefully I conquer that goal," said Pech.
He is well on his way, collecting a handful of unique experiences that have inspired and fueled his mission.
In the spring of 2010 Pech traveled to Arizona for the W.K. Kellogg Foundation Food and Community Conference with twenty-two youth and adults from the NE Iowa FFI. He was surprised to discover that he and the others from Iowa were the only Caucasian youth representatives.
Pech interacted with youth from both coasts and rural and urban areas.
"Here [Iowa] we can grow gardens pretty much anywhere, but other kids are growing gardens in the beds of pickup trucks because that's all [the space] they have," said Pech.
Because of Pech's leadership and involvement with the NE Iowa FFI, Starmont's Superintendent of Schools encouraged Pech to apply for the Global Youth Institute at the 2010 World Food Prize in Des Moines. The Global Youth Institute brings high school students together from across the United States to discuss pressing food security and agricultural issues alongside international experts.
While Pech recognizes food security and obesity issues are separate, he finds both equally concerning.
"It is the opposite aspect of food and fitness— solving world hunger, not obesity. I'm kind of on both sides right now," said Pech.
How does Pech intend to solve world hunger? Start small.
Upon returning from the 2010 World Food Prize, Pech rallied support at Starmont and raised $5,000 to fund a food-packaging event for relief efforts in Tanzania, Africa.
"It [food-packaging event] wasn't satisfying, because I know there are hundreds of thousands of people dying from starvation. That's ridiculous, because here we're obese. It's a result of poor distribution of food, not the lack of it," said Pech.
His experience at the 2010 World Food Prize inspired Pech in several ways. Foremost, he thinks about his food differently.
"I don't leave anything on my plate anymore," said Pech.
It has also instilled a desire to travel. Pech wants to visit third-world countries while in college, especially African counties such as Tanzania and Ethiopia. In fact, Pech has already started his building his portfolio. He researched and wrote Underdeveloped Agriculture about food insecurity in Ethiopia— an essay that won him a slot at the 2010 World Food Prize.
This past April, Pech attended the youth-driven Catalyst Summit in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where along with other youth, he learned about healthy eating and how to advocate for effective change. He left the Summit believing, "youth really are the voice of the future."
As Pech makes one last plea to the group of freshman—be change-agents, set goals, and dream big— what exudes is genuine passion.
"I want to leave a legacy," Pech had mentioned to me earlier.
Indeed, he already has.
