National Performer Returns Home to Glen Dale
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GLEN DALE - After four years on the road, a Marshall County native brought the "Jump with Jill" nutrition and fitness program home, hoping to inspire kids where she grew up.
Renee Storm, a former Glen Dale Elementary Dragon, showcased "Jump with Jill" at her childhood school after being offered the chance to donate one show to the school of her choice, according to Marshall County Schools spokesman Tony Wood. Storm has portrayed Jill in one of the touring productions for four years, over 724 shows for more than 252,000 kids, she said.
Storm said she was inspired to begin when, as a first-grader, Brad Paisley came to perform at the school, before his rise to stardom, which she said was the beginning of her own desire to perform.
"I remember sitting in the audience when Brad Paisley was here -- not as huge was he is now -- and I still thought he was awesome," she said. "I just remember looking up at the stage and thinking, 'Wow, I really want to perform like him someday on this stage.' Today, I get to do this, so I'm super excited!"
At Glen Dale, Storm said, she got more active in performing arts by singing in the choir and participating in theatre.
"This is where all of the performance aspects started really growing, and I really want kids to know that if they have a dream in their heart, and if they work really hard throughout their life, they can achieve that goal. … Especially if you eat healthy foods and exercise, you can get there faster," she joked. "Sometimes, this is the first concert that these students will see."
Storm said the response from kids has been positive and encouraging.
"With our music and our catchy songs, it sticks in their head longer, and they sing them after the show and for a long time afterward. … A lot of times, I'll be talking to kids after the show, and they'll be like, 'I'm going to try a vegetable now. I'm going to try broccoli.' It's really special to hear that, especially after an hour-long show."
Jump with Jill is described as the world's only rock-and-roll nutrition show, which uses music, dance, and characters to make nutrition more accessible to a young audience. Created in 2008 by registered dietician Jill Jayne, the program has been performed more than 3,500 times in six countries.
"We think it's so important, we sing and dance about it," Jayne stated in a release.
The "Jump with Jill" show was scheduled to perform today at the Performing Arts Center at Wheeling Park High School.