South Callaway students hop for healthier hearts

South Callaway Elementary first-grade student Haydon Watlington, left, grins for the camera while John Palada and Jarick Schipp collide, laughing.
South Callaway Elementary first-grade student Haydon Watlington, left, grins for the camera while John Palada and Jarick Schipp collide, laughing.

MOKANE, Mo. -- Bouncing on giant balls and trampolines, vaulting over tapes and hoping over jump ropes, South Callway students got their heartbeats racing Friday, and that was the point.

"'Jump Rope for Heart' is a fundraiser for the American Heart Association," said South Callaway Elementary Principal Jill Dunlap. "The kids take donations, like a sponsorship - the way they do with bike-a-thons."

Coach Adam Dubuque spent several weeks getting the children excited about raising money and teaching them about heart health. The lessons seem to be sticking, he said.

"You can stay healthy by exercising," first-grader Jordan McDonald said in between bounces on a trampoline.

This event, in which students circulate between various jumping-related activities, is the kids' reward for their hard fundraising work. But for a lucky few, it gets even better.

"If we meet our school goal, the top-raising kids get to participate in an egg roulette," Dunlap said.

They'll get to smash an egg on the head of a staff member, he added. Some eggs will be boiled and others left raw.

Right before the bouncing began, Dubuque announced, "We raised over $2,100."

The kids yelled in glee. The school's goal was $2,100.

This is South Callaway Elementary's 18th year participating in Jump Rope for Heart. Former coach Kris Porter started the tradition and gave Dubuque many of his activity ideas.

The American Heart Association publishes care standards and advice related to heart health. For example, in 2014, the organization published guidelines about preventing strokes in women.

"The kids' money will save a lot of lives," Dubuque said.

In addition to the heartwarming knowledge that they're helping people, students learned tips that might help them in the future.

"I keep my heart healthy by eating fruits and vegetables," first grader Alexis Giboney said.

Other lessons included drinking water instead of sugary drinks and getting at least 60 minutes of exercise every day. Dubuque had some advice for parents hoping to keep the lessons up at home.

"Keep 'em moving, get 'em a jump rope," he said.

In addition to talking about heart health, the school has been working with the University of Missouri Extension to teach students about eating healthy food, Dunlap added.

"A nutritionist comes in every Friday for eight weeks to talk about nutrition and making healthy food choices," Dunlap said.