Mat-Su elementary schools part of new world record

KNIK — Mat-Su Borough School District students left their mark on history Oct. 12 when they were part of an international effort to break the Guinness World Records title for the most people doing jumping jacks in a 24-hour period.

Students at several Mat-Su Valley schools participated in the “Let’s Jump” event, including Knik, Goose Bay, Machetanz and Sherrod elementary schools.

At Knik and Goose Bay, more than 1,000 students, parents, siblings and community volunteers gathered on the soccer fields to be part of the wave of jumping jacks that circled the globe between 11 a.m., Oct. 11 to 11 a.m., Oct. 12.

Guinness officials confirmed that the effort sparked at the White House by First Lady Michelle Obama broke the old record, which was 20,000 people. The global event was sponsored by National Geographic Kids and The American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance as part of the First Lady’s “Let’s Move” initiative to get people active and reduce obesity. It began in D.C. at 3 p.m., last Tuesday.

Goose Bay physical education teacher Nancy Blake said jumping jacks are good exercise and don’t require any special skills or equipment.

“Everybody’s kind of working together to highlight the importance of physical activity,” she said.

To reinforce that message with students, Superintendent Deena Paramo and Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race competitor Dee Dee Jonrowe were among community members who showed up to jump with students Tuesday.

Jonrowe was the official timekeeper at the Knik and Goose Bay jump.

“When I heard what you were doing, it sounded like so much fun I came over here to jump with you,” she told students.

Blake said Guinness rules are very stringent and adult volunteers watched each row of students to make sure no one stopped moving during the minute-long count — which turned out to be no problem for these perpetual motion machines.

“They’ve been practicing for the last three weeks,” she said. “The kids have been just jazzed for it.”

Physical activity has value beyond helping kids stay fit and healthy, Blake said. Exercise sends more oxygen to the brain, which increases the building of neural pathways, she said.

“You are part of history,” Blake told the students when the last group had finished. “A new book comes out every year. You guys are going to be in the next one.”

For more information about the Let’s Move, visit letsmove.gov.

Contact Heather A. Resz at heather.resz@frontiersman.com or 352-2268.