They do pushups, jump on pogo sticks, and shoot hoops...all while jumping rope. The Miscoe Hill Skippers, a middle school jump rope team from Upton, get a chance to show off their impressive skills at a select number of schools each year. And on March 28th, Elmwood students were treated to the Skippers' blend of grace and athleticism.
The performance was a reward for Elmwood's continuous support of the American Heart Association. For the past nineteen years, the school has raised over $180,000 as part of the AHA's Jump Rope for Heart program, in which students raise money by jumping rope for a certain period of time. The Skippers' are a demo team for the AHA, meaning that they perform at schools across the state to raise awareness not only about the organization, but about how jump roping is a fun way to stay heart healthy. The goal of their performances is not only to inspire, but to illustrate important life lessons such as teamwork and perseverance.
The Skippers' performance, as well as the Jump Rope for Heart fundraiser, coincide with Elmwood's wellness unit on jump rope. And the students were certainly inspired to jump, as the Skippers stayed several hours afterward for both gym and recess to work with many of them on improving their skills.
