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Winfield Scott Students jump for healthy hearts
Students at Winfield Scott Elementary School have been jumping their way to better health.
On Feb. 20, Winfield Scott physical education teacher Chris Sather's students listened intently at she explained the procedure for a new jump rope she had with her in class. Throughout the gymnasium, jump ropes of varying sizes and styles lay scattered waiting for the students to finish with their instruction time. As soon as Sather gave the order, the students scrambled to find their favorite jump-roping activity. For nearly an hour, the students excitedly rotated from one type of jump rope to another. At times, four or five of them tried to jump together, an undertaking which took great skill and cooperation.
According to Sather, she and her students participated in Jump Rope for Heart, a fundraising activity which generated funds to help the American Heart Association. During the jump-roping campaign, which was conducted for two weeks in the students' physical education classes, the students raised more than $5,000 by asking friends and family members to donate to the cause.
"Donations raised during Jump Rope for Heart help fund research to fight heart disease and stroke and also support the American Heart Association's public and professional education programs," a press release from Sather said. "Heart disease is the number one killer in America, and stroke is number three."
Not only did participation in Jump Rope for Heart, which is co-sponsored by the American Heart Association and the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education Recreation and Dance, help raise funds to battle heart disease, but it also provided a fun activity for the students to maintain better health, according to the press release.
"Jump Rope for Heart is a program that promotes physical fitness and heart health through the fun activity of jumping rope," the press release said.
According to Sather, the top 25 students who raised the most money during the event were treated to a free Fresh Fit lunch donated by Subway. Second grade student Ethan Tatro raised $140, which was the most money raised by any one student in the 2nd grade. In the 3rd grade, Keely Goodridge, who raised $164, generated the most funds in her grade. Fourth grade students Briana Williams and Taylor Engstrom raised $90 each during the campaign, and Jenna Kakas raised $225, which was the highest amount raised in the 5th grade.
Sather said she was pleased with the outcome from this year's Jump Rope for Heart program.
"This year's event was a huge success," Sather said. "We're very proud of all the jumpers, and we all had a lot of fun."