The Wahkiakum County Eagle - Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891

At 3:05 p.m. on Friday, March 30, the doors of JA Wendt Elementary school opened. Spring break had begun. But a funny thing happened; the kids did not run outside to catch their buses in celebration of a holiday from school. Instead, students bustled into the gym in hopes of becoming Heart Heroes and helping children with special hearts.

Coordinated by physical education teacher, Mary Moonen, students in grades 1-5 participated in Jump Rope for Heart (JRFH).

“I am jumping for my aunt,” said fifth grader Katie Thomason, “She passed away but I want to jump rope in her honor.”

Jump Rope For Heart is a unique experience where children have fun jumping rope, learning about their hearts and how to keep them healthy, all while raising life-saving donations for the American Heart Association.

JRFH is a national fundraising program sponsored by the American Heart Association. The program promotes physical activity, heart healthy living, and community service to children. The elementary school years encompass a time when children should establish a strong foundation for movement skills. These are also the years when positive learning experiences can help establish a positive attitude and appreciation for participating in regular, daily physical activity for life.

Heart disease ranks as this nation’s number one killer; stroke is number three and a leading cause of serious disability. Every year, one million people die from cardiovascular disease and stroke. That’s 1 of every 2.5 deaths in the United States.

These diseases may remain critical problems in the future because of poor lifestyle habits among American adults and children. For example, only one in ten Americans exercises for 30 minutes or more every day. Over 15 percent of children and adolescents are now overweight. Four million children have above-normal blood pressure and 27 million children have high cholesterol.

On that Friday afternoon, JA Wendt Elementary students were fighting back against those statistics.

The kids were all smiles as they performed their jump rope tricks in front of an audience of families, friends and community volunteers on Friday. Students formed jump rope teams who practiced together throughout the week perfecting skills like double Dutch, front cross and two in one rope among others.

In the cafeteria, volunteers served refreshments and healthy snacks such as oranges, bananas, grapes and apples. Students dashed in as Moonen excused groups one at a time. They’d run in, refuel and hustle to get back to jumping.

Physical activity and good nutrition are essential parts of a healthy lifestyle. Jump Rope For Heart helps get this message across to students, and it seems to be working.