Lamar Senior Combats Misconception About the Unhealthy Teen Diet

When you peer down every aisle of the grocery store, bright colors and catchy slogans litter every shelf just at arms-length. Although especially intriguing and marketed towards teenagers, these products are well-known for wreaking havoc on students’ health and productivity. Contrary to popular belief, the customers of processed and fast foods have not been those of the students at Lamar High School. One student in particular makes an effort to stand out amongst his classmates with his healthy eating habits.

The senior class of 2026 is serving as an upstanding example for the underclassmen this school year, exemplifying their leadership in and outside of the campus. Aman Tekle, senior cross-country runner and swimmer, displays his dedication to his athletic performance through his diet. He strives to prove that being a teenager doesn’t have to mean having a poor diet. 

Tekle describes having always incorporated sports into his life. While having been in sports for seven years and counting, he has observed that eating healthy and exercising has significantly improved his efforts in his teams and even the motivation behind them.

The senior’s close circle consists of a number of different teenagers, but mainly includes his fellow athletes. He explains that he stems from an athletic background, among friends and family, which mainly inspires him to eat healthy. Tekle especially mentions how one of his close friends and fellow seniors, Carson Plamondon, has pushed him to stay focused and mindful of what he fuels his body with. In more ways than one, Aman Tekle and his friends single-handedly defy popular stereotypes that shape the teenage population.