Irby kids jump for $100K

If Irby Elementary students reach their goa l of raising $8,000 for the American Heart Association’s Jump Rope for

Heart, they will have raised $100,000 since the school’s opening in 1992. For the last 17 years, Irby Elementary students have reached into their hearts to help raise money for research that will help other youngsters born with congenital heart defects.

Before Wednesday’s Jump Rope for Heart at Irby, the school had a combined $93,554 raised in

the school’s history according to Alejandra Cretul, the American Heart Association’s vice president for north Florida’s youth market.

In sunny but frigid weather Wednesday morning, healthy hearts were pumping to keep the blood flowing as students and teachers alike braved the cold temperatures to compete in the annual Jump Rope for Heart event held in the bus circle at the school.

Raising the level of enthusiasm brought by Irby physical education teacher Ray Crone was his good friend Albert the Alligator from the University of Florida.

Teachers got the morning’s activities moving with a little rope jumping of their own. Hundreds of youngsters followed suit and tried their hand, or feet as it were, at jumping rope. Kindergarteners and first and second graders competed to see who among them could jump the longest. In the end, a handful of the students remained and became the winners in their grade level.

Jump Rope for Heart is an educational fundraising event. Held each year in thousands of elementary schools nationwide by the American Heart Association, the program not only helps those in need, but also educates youth about the benefits of physical activity, and how to keep their hearts in good shape.

Among special guests assisting in the event was the Santa Fe High School Interact Club and Santa Fe High School Athletic Director Michele Faulk who makes it a point to help with the competition each year.

In addition to Albert the Alligator, students were also treated to an appearance by the University of Florida dance team otherwise known as “The Dazzlers,” and cheerleaders. Keeping jumpers in their groove was DJ Bill Hipp of Hipp Productions who has been keeping the heart beat of the annual competition in check for the last 10 years or so.

For the uninitiated, jumping rope is not only fun – it’s a sport and an art. With names such as “Minute Mania,” “Jump the Brook,” and “Jump the Snake,” jumping rope is as much fun as it is healthy. The highlight of all the rope twirling and jumping was the “endurance jump.” Not recommended for those weak in the knees or ankles – or short of breath – endurance jumping sets the pros apart from the amateurs.

Irby Elementary endurance winners claimed their titles by jumping for the longest length of time without a misstep. Ropes churning and feet flying, first graders and then second graders faced off against their classmates.

Winners in the first grade class were Sian Seng in first place, Torieah Atkins in second place and Jacob Thornton in third place. Second grade winners were Alera Gainey in first, Leigha Blocker in second place and Kyra Levesque in third.

Jump Rope for Heart raises funds for medical research and for programs such as “HeartPower!” that help prevent heart disease and stroke. Students are eager to participate because they know they have the ability to help save someone’s life, possibly in their own community.

As of Wednesday afternoon, Irby Elementary administrators were still tallying students’ fundraising efforts, but were not sure how close they were to their $8,000 goal. Principal Lina Bedoya-Burklew is encouraging friends of Irby Elementary Eagles to help the school reach the $100,000 mark by showing their last-minute support. The school is still accepting contributions toward this year’s Jump Rope for Heart campaign. To help the American Heart Association and Irby Elementary, call the school at 386-462-5002 for details on ways to contribute in person, online or via mail.