Fueling Fitness: A Student-Led Movement for Wellness
In this post, we share the story of how three Carrollwood Day School students, Taksheel G. '28, Kris K. '28, and Parsa B. '28, transformed their passion for health into Fueling Fitness, a student-led initiative designed to close the gap in access to wellness resources. What began as an idea has already grown into a movement, bringing schools, families, and community partners together to support healthier lifestyles and provide opportunities for students in under-resourced communities to thrive.
Carrollwood Day School students Taksheel G., Kris K., and Parsa B. have turned their passion for wellness into action through Fueling Fitness, a student-led initiative aimed at promoting healthy habits, movement, and access to fitness opportunities for young people in our community.
Local Experts Lend Their Voice
This vision came to life at A Night to Make Change: Fueling Fitness, an event that brought together students, families, and community leaders to celebrate the power of wellness. The evening featured inspiring speakers including Certified Wellness Coach & Motivational Speaker Michelle Cuffe, bodybuilder and entrepreneur James Manoyan, Pediatric Gastroenterology expert Dr. Shawn Sarnaik, and ophthalmologist Dr. Ramak, who each shared their expertise on the importance of health and fitness. Local fitness leaders like StretchLab and F45 Training also partnered with the event, offering demonstrations, giveaways, and hands-on ways to encourage movement.
The impact was immediate and energizing. More than 75 attendees gathered for the event, while over 4,000 students across Benito Middle School, Middleton High School, and Tampa Palms Elementary are set to benefit directly from the donations. Thanks to the generosity of the community and supporters, the initiative raised more than $1,200, which will go toward sports equipment, wellness programs, and other resources that give students more opportunities to stay active and healthy.
What makes Fueling Fitness so meaningful is the vision behind it. Taksheel, Kris, and Parsa launched the initiative with a clear purpose: to close the gap in access to wellness resources for low-resourced communities. Their belief is simple yet powerful, every student deserves the chance to live a healthy, active life, regardless of background. By bringing together schools, wellness experts, and community partners, they created not just an event but a movement toward making health and fitness more accessible for all.
An Initiative Rooted in the CDS Mission
Fueling Fitness is also a reflection of the CDS mission. Our community is built on the belief that education with character extends far beyond the classroom. By identifying a real need, designing a solution, and working collaboratively to impact lives, Taksheel, Kris, and Parsa demonstrated the values of compassion, leadership, and responsibility that define what it means to be a Patriot. Their work is a reminder that when students are empowered to take initiative, they can make meaningful change in the world around them.
The night was filled with energy, gratitude, and momentum to keep building. And this is only the beginning. Taksheel, Kris, and Parsa’s goal is to expand Fueling Fitness into more schools and neighborhoods, scaling up fundraising and partnerships so that even more students have access to the programs and equipment they need to thrive.
Fueling Fitness is more than a one-time event, it’s a commitment to making wellness a priority for all students. And with leaders like these at the forefront, that commitment is already making a difference.