Jump-a-Thon Held at La Grange Elementary
The Fayette County Helpers held their annual Jump Rope Jump-A-Thon at La Grange Elementary School on Wednesday, March 9.
Dozens on second graders gathered in the Elementary Gym to see who could jump rope the longest. Jeff Kelly and Karen Forest of the Fayette County Helpers started the Jump-A-Thon in 2015 as a way to encourage kids to stay healthy.
“The idea came up in one of our FCH meetings,” Forest said. “Jeff Kelly asked if any of us had an idea that we could do in our community. I asked if we can figure out something that we could do with local children and jump ropes. Growing up jumping rope was such a simple activity that is a good way to encourage children to play outside in the fresh air.
“It helps with coordination of their bodies which also helps brain activity that helps learning in the classroom,” Forest added. “Seeing how much children at school loved to jump ropes in PE and at recess when I was a Teacher Aide in Kindergarten for 12 years. We ended up coordinating with the PE teachers and getting the kids ready for the contest became a small part of their curriculum.”
On Wednesday, 112 La Grange second graders participated in the Jump-A-Thon. FCH sponsored similar events at Flatonia Elementary on Tuesday and at Sacred Heart Catholic School in La Grange on Wednesday.
The kids at La Grange Elementary got to meet former NFL star Brodney Pool, who spoke to the kids about exercising and healthy living.
Pool’s mother grew up in La Grange and lots of his family live in the area. Pool grew up in Houston and played football for Oklahoma after graduating high school. He was a star safety for the Sooners and declared for the NFL draft his junior year. The Cleaveland Browns picked Pool in the second round of the 2005 draft. He was the 34th pick overall that year. He played five seasons for Cleveland and another two for the New York Jets before finishing his NFL career in Dallas in the 2012 season. Pool recently bought some property in the area and now lives in La Grange.
“When I was younger, we played jump rope and it was one of my favorite things to do,” Pool said. “My mom had an athletic background, so we were always outside – running, playing a lot of ball. I knew you had to be in shape to be an athlete.”
The contest started with a practice round. The boys and girls from each homeroom class competed separately. The kids had to stop and sit down if they made a mistake. The groups jumped until only five students were left. The five finalist from each homeroom class then competed as a group to find the top three boys and girls.
The winners were in the boys division were First Place - Kye Daniels, Second Place - Graham Gunn and Third Place - Jacob Kellen. The winners in the girls division were First Place - Charlott Justus, Second Place - Karley Burkey and Third Place - Andrea Morales.
Several local businesses and non-profits provided funds that paid for T-shirts and jump ropes for each student to take home. Those sponsors included The Optimist Club of La Grange, Oviedo Auto Group, Lower Colorado River Authority, DLM Properties, National Bank and Trust, Rhinestone Angel, Katy Sweet Confectioners, La Grange Ford Lincoln, Round Top State Bank, Cano Tire Service, Fayettville Bank, Clay Parker Ranch, Holy Smokers Men’s Club, TP Jacomini and 5J Farms and Hengst Printing.