Jump Ropes Get Hearts Pumping For A Cause

By Larissa Lytwyn

According to many fitness groups, ten minutes of jump roping at a moderate pace is the equivalent of completing a one-mile jog in 12 minutes!

Since 1978, the American Heart Association (AHA) has used the treasured childhood tradition in a campaign to raise money for heart-related health treatment and research.

Now, in addition to Jump Rope for Heart, the AHA has launched Hoops for Heart, in which students’ fundraising efforts are capped with a spirited day of basketball games and exercises.

Each year, Newtown elementary schools, middle school, and Reed Intermediate participate in both Jump Rope for Heart and Hoops for Heart.

“Last year, Reed was among the top five Connecticut schools that raised money for Hoops for Heart,” said physical education instructor Aaron Blank. “We raised $7,178. While that is still less than the money raised for Jump Rope for Heart, Hoops is definitely growing in prominence and I wouldn’t be surprised when it finally raises as much as Jump Rope for Heart does now.”

This year’s event on March 11, Mr Blank continued, had the potential to raise even more money because the school’s participating population has risen from 110 to approximately 140 students. Finally tallies on how much money was raised, however, will not be known until the end of the month.

“I really try to emphasize the health aspect of jump roping and basketball,” said Mr Blank. “It’s important to focus on keeping up morale and seeing it as more than just fundraising. It’s truly about contributing to a very worthy cause.”

According to AHA, regular physical activity in childhood and adolescence improves strength and endurance, reduces anxiety and stress, helps control weight, builds healthy bones and muscles, and increases self-esteem. Young people can build healthy bodies and establish healthy lifestyles well into adulthood by including physical activity in their daily lives.

At a Jump Rope for Heart activity also held on March 11, Sandy Hook Elementary School physical education teacher Jan Huot led students into activities that incorporated dance as well as jump roping.

The students clearly relished the aerobiclike exercises, in which they got to hop, spin, and swing their way to elevated heart rates.

Newtown Middle School youth meanwhile, enjoyed a student vs faculty basketball game on March 4; all proceeds benefited the Hoops for Heart campaign.

While the students almost tied the game in its final ten seconds, the teachers ultimately prevailed with a score of 51 to 48.

The student teams were comprised of 28 players: AJ Ritchie, Gina Piscareta, Kate Bowen, Nahba Bropleh, Mike Herring, Trevor Todd, Tyler Davenport, John Aminiti, Ryan Goodridge, Rachel Taback, Rachel Cox, Jordyn Good, Jenna Legros, Adelle Cerreta, Linda Magliocco, Laura Newberry, Vincent LaFrancesca, Emily Kluga, Ashley Soucar, Ian Cooper, Nora Lynn Shimko, Jake DeVellis, Christian Stevnule, Hiram Orama, Steve Osmolik, Casey Tenney, Ashley Kuligowski, and Matthew Baier. Students Josh Baron, Chris Page, Nick Wolfe and Jennifer Spanedda officiated the game.

Student coaches Danielle Norris, Kasey Schulz, and Sarah Shannon did an “excellent job,” agreed physical education teachers and game coordinators Tom DeBenedetto and Ken Kantor.

The NMS Dance Team got spirits soaring in a pregame performance as well as a halftime show. Kate Bowen won a 30-second shoot-out final.

The event raised more than $600.

For more information on AHA fundraising campaigns and events, visit www.AmericanHeart.org.