Awesome Dawes– this is why—as she’s so affectionately called by her adoring fans (me included) urged kids to ditch that cheese bus and lace up their kicks today for International Walk-to-school day. 

The bronze and gold winning Olympian joined students, parents and teachers from Rogers Heights Elementary in Maryland to burn some calories while heading to class.

The initiative was sponsored by the health care organization Kaiser Permanente to get kids active in their communities.

Thanks Rogers Elem School and Kaiser Permanente for an inspiring event to encourage our school kids to walk! Get active, get moving, get healthy!!

Dominique joined FLOTUS Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move campaign in 2011. And the somersault soaring and tumblin’ diva is also co-chair to President Obama’s Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition. I think even she would be impressed.

Keep a look out for Dominique this month to appear in a NBC TV special about thriving schools. I will keep you updated when I know more deets.

Meanwhile, while Dominique was walking….

….Diana Nyad was swimming…again..for Hurricane Sandy victims. The tenacious extraordinaire who was the No. Uno person to swim from Cuba to Florida with jellyfish, sharks and hypothermia nipping at her heels (literally) jumped into the water this morning  for charity. To commemorate the one year anniversary of Hurricane Sandy she decided to swim nonstop for 48 hours in hot spot Herald Square in NYC.

ABC News reports that a 40-yard two lane pool has been erected in Herald Square for Diana’s mission. So far Diana’s efforts have raised over $68,000. To help donate money or encouragement to Diana Nyad please click here.

And to watch the live feed of Diana’s continuous swim click here.