Oswayo Valley Students Jump at Chance to Raise Money for Heart Association

SHINGLEHOUSE – For the students in the Oswayo Elementary School, raising money is as easy as a hop, skip and a jump.

The students in grades three through five in this Potter County school raised $4,800 for the American Heart Association through Jump Rope for Heart. The school has raised more than $20,000 in the eight years it has participated. The students raise money through sponsorships. February is American Heart Month.

Physical education teacher April Mashensic believes this program is a win-win situation.

“It teaches students about cardiac health, raises money for healthy heart research and they have fun with the activities.”

Parents volunteer to assist the class as they fulfill their promise to their sponsors. All students collecting sponsorships are named Heart Heroes and are rewarded for their efforts. The American Heart Association provides thank you gifts along with the school and Elementary Parent Teacher Organization.

Each day of the program, students learn a new healthy heart tip and are asked to share the tip with two people outside of school. This may include the fact a heart beats more than 100,000 times a day and eating fruits and vegetables are good for your heart.

New this year was a school-wide assembly featuring a demonstration by the Kane Hot Shots, a competitive jump roping team lead by Richard Hunt. The group travels to competitions throughout the region and to other states.

Pictured, Ava Lee, a student at the Oswayo Valley Elementary School in Shinglehouse, jumps rope with the help of Karley Carpenter, right, and a girl that is part of the Kane Hot Shots. Students in grades three through five raised more than $4,500 for the American Heart Association.

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