Jumping for hearts

KRISTINA ORREGO/Alachua County Today

Jumping rope is a heaerthealthy activity that local elementary students put into action as they jumped rope to raise funds for the American Heart Association.

ALACHUA – Nearly 500 W.W. Irby Elementary School students braved the cold Wednesday, Feb. 10 to participate in Jump Rope for Heart, a nationwide annual event intended to promote heart health awareness and raise funds for the American Heart Association.

Students who participate can win prizes, from jump ropes to lanyards.

Volunteers and teachers’ aides were present, as well as Alachua Mayor Gib Coerper and Chief of Police Chad Scott. An Abraham Lincoln impersonator also made an appearance, donning a formal top hat, suit and booming voice while preaching the importance of reading.

Principal Valde Fortner said students were taught about the basic functions of the heart during morning announcements for several weeks in preparation for the event. She said she sees the cause as not only an opportunity for the students to exercise and learn healthy habits, but also as a way to bring the entire community together.

"[This event] makes me feel like we have provided our students with a good opportunity to be together as a whole, school-wide community,” she said.

She also said having the Lincoln impersonator prompted thoughtful questions from the students.

“During lunch I was sitting with a group and one student said to me, ‘Was Abraham Lincoln really that tall?’” she said. “I mean, that’s a pretty neat question. It’s those connections that will forever remain with them.”

Maria Ortega, a second grade teacher at Irby said Ray Crone, the P.E. teacher, taught students that children who have heart conditions are just like them. She said she was also proud that Kinsey Young, one of the students in her class, won second place.

“I think it’s important for the kids to participate in community service and help others their age, or even younger, that have heart conditions,” Ortega said. “I also think it’s important for the kids to learn healthy habits – like jump roping and physical activity – that they can use for the rest of their lives.”

Wednesday’s event marked the last Jump Rope for Heart event for Crone, who will be retiring in June. He’s coached the event for the past 15 years. He said he would be back for future Jump Rope for Heart events to volunteer, however.

“I really wanted this jump rope for heart to be the best one,” he said. “And I thought it was awesome. I thought the weather was a little chilly, but the kids warmed up quickly.”

He said he wants students to revisit the school and remember taking part in the event.

One student he mentioned, who was a senior at Santa Fe High School two years ago, told him Jump Rope for Heart “was her favorite Irby memory.”

“She really hit the nail on the head for me,” Crone said. “She brought it home. It’s a really worthwhile event.”

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