Staff Writer
Third-and-fourth-grade students at Teague Park Elementary School showed just how much heart they have Friday, when they spent the day jumping rope for the American Heart Association, raising an estimated $ 8,500 in pledges. The money raised is donated to the AHA to be used for research in hope of finding a cure for heart disease. “It’s a good connection for the kids, jumping rope is great exercise, it keeps them physically fit and they have fun doing it,” said Steve Austin, physical education teacher at the school. “Having the extra incentive of getting a chance to win a new bike or other prizes just adds to the fun,” he added.
Through the “Jump for Heart” Program, students learn healthy eating habits and how exercise shouldn’t be considered a chore but something smart and fun. In the school gymnasium there were posters created by the students depicting various healthy foods and activities and also an “In Honor Of “bulletin board where students were able to assignthe names of friends or family members who were or currently are victims of heart disease.
The students were all treated to healthy fruit snacks after their jump rope time was completed and waited anxiously for the grand finale of the program when as the entire school population entered the gym, the final results of their efforts were announced. When the student body realized they had met and possible exceeded their set goal, it was a roar of young voices that filled the gym.
As students were called to the front to select prizes for their amazing efforts, the idea that after this part was completed the best was yet to come. Pie. Not for dessert but rather in the faces of several staff members of the elementary school, including their principal.
The class raising the most money through pledges was Cindy McDuffie’s fourthgrade raising approximately $1,350 for the cause.
Students collecting $50 or more in pledges had a chance for their names to be drawn for a girl’s and boy’s bike. Winners of the new bikes were Lakeisha St. John and Joseph Maile.
Receiving the whipped cream pies were principal Lois Brewer, courtesy of Marissa Keaton; Debbie Forbes, delivered by Jill Courchene; custodian Helson Jackson, applied by Charli Bergin; Stacy Michaud courtesy of Emma Belyea; Gillian Sleeper, via Kailee Clark; Cindy McDuffie delivered by Destinee Berz and Steve Austin, direct hit by Alexis Guillemette.
