A group of students around the city are competing for a $500 prize in a "Shark Tank"-style contest – each presenting their best ideas on how to make their school healthier.

One of those students is Jan Sanchez, 13, who thinks the world of his father who has diabetes. 

"He comes back from work late and he still tries to interact with me no matter how many hours of sleep he has," says Sanchez. 

The student from John Dewey High School in Gravesend pitched some ideas to a panel of judges, including dietitian and former Giants player Howard Cross. Sanchez told them he would like more healthy choices "like fruits, granola bars and maybe even smoothies." 

The competition held at Kingsborough Community College is part of a national effort to make sure kids learn healthy habits now, before it's too late. 

"Now is the best time to make sure kids are growing up and eating the right foods because diseases…they're actually developing if kids are not eating well and exercising," says dietitian Stacey Jackson.