Churchville-Chili elementary school students once again took the American Heart Association’s (AHA) Kids Heart Challenge: learning how to develop heart-healthy habits. The challenge is a longstanding tradition for students at both Churchville Elementary School (CES) and Chestnut Ridge Elementary School (CRS). This year, each school celebrated a bit differently, but everyone had a great time. Thanks to the generosity of the Churchville community, both schools raised impressive donations for the AHA that will benefit local friends and neighbors.
At Churchville Elementary, students school-wide participated in special activities in physical education classes. A remarkable 158 students volunteered to fundraise for the AHA, and they surpassed the school’s $10,000 goal with a grand total of $25,420.98 – the school’s highest total in their 21 years of participation.
As Chestnut Ridge carefully launched its first Kids Heart Challenge since the pandemic began, activities were limited to grades two through four. The gym was transformed for two weeks into the Kids Heart Challenge Fitness Center with a variety of special equipment. Students were offered “Challenge by Choice,” a concept that gave them full ownership of their own workout plans. They planned balanced workouts by focusing on the four components of health-related fitness: cardiovascular endurance, muscle endurance, muscle strength, and flexibility. Students enjoyed the activities and by the end of the challenge, they had raised over $10,000 for the AHA.
Chestnut Ridge School, like CES, has also taken part in the AHA campaign for over 20 years. In 2012, the school was the top fundraiser in the nation. This year’s campaign was managed by long-time organizers PE teachers Greg Kincaid and Brooke Elnicky. Elnicky said, “Kids Heart Challenge is a great service learning program. It teaches students that being active and having good habits can be fun and keep them healthy. They learn that they can help save lives in their own community by raising money to support research, education, and services used by peers and local families.”
Students at Churchville Elementary had an extra treat, a special assembly on February 15, to recognize their success. The school’s two honorary Heart Heroes, students Aubrey and Ellianna, were acknowledged. The two had inspired classmates with their personal stories of coping with difficult heart problems. AHA representative William Mitchell was on hand to thank students for their effort and hard work. Top fundraisers were also named, each collecting more than $1,000 for the cause. Madelyn will enjoy being Assistant Principal for the Day, while Principal David Johnson will cede his title (and office desk) twice, to first-place winner Emma and second-place campaigner Evelyn – Principals for the Day.
The highlight of the assembly was the choosing of five students who lined up with whipped cream pies and happily pushed them into the faces of PE teachers and program coordinators Bethany Matsko and Chester Palozzi along with teacher Kristina Zito, Assistant Principal Kim Giancursio, and Principal Johnson.
Johnson said, “It’s wonderful to see our students take part in all the heart-healthy races and exercises and learn about citizenship and making a difference. But it’s astounding to see how seriously they take this opportunity to help others, and it is truly inspiring to see how our families support their efforts.”
More than 3,000 schools nationwide participate in the Kids Heart Challenge programs. The events are fun, promote sports and fitness, educate students in the risks of heart disease and stroke, and help lay the groundwork for life-long community activism and volunteering. Both Churchville Elementary and Chestnut Ridge schools have participated for many years and consistently place in the top echelon of the state’s fundraising schools.
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