Follow Us

Current Poll

Do you plan to fill out your census form?
 
Fighting to keep KIDZ in ACTION PDF Print E-mail
News - Community News
Written by Kristen Waggener   
Wednesday, 28 January 2009 08:00

Rachael Crotchett had one goal in mind when she set out to do her graduation research project.

“I wanted to make it so the kids don’t sit on the couch and veg,” the Louisburg High School senior said.

Crotchett planned and organized KIDZ in ACTION, an eight-week interactive after-school program to keep kids active and help combat childhood obesity in Louisburg.

Since Dec. 10, Crotchett has led a group of 16 girls in third through fifth grades at Broadmoor Elementary School through exercises, active games, dancing and cheerleading in an effort to keep them healthy.

“It’s just to keep them moving,” Crotchett said.

Last Wednesday, the 16 girls split into groups, and with Crotchett’s help, they created short dances to show their parents.


“It’s cool because it gives them something to do after school besides going home and camping out on the couch,” said Rockville Elementary School nurse Lori Griffin, who is serving at Crotchett’s mentor in her project.

Every senior at LHS must complete a graduation research project in order to graduate from the school. Most start planning their projects during their junior year, but because Crotchett is new to the district this year, she didn’t have much time to plan.

“I went to Pleasanton High School, and I was offered a grant for child obesity,” Crotchett said.

With that grant and the help of a few friends, Crotchett created a wintertime program to keep kids active.

“I still had that idea when Mrs. (Sandy) Roark asked me what I wanted to do,” she said.

Nearly 100 Broadmoor students signed up to participate in KIDZ in ACTION when Crotchett first asked for volunteers. After narrowing the field down to just girls, she randomly chose the 16 who were invited to participate.

Fifth-grader Cassidy Hink said she signed up for one reason, “because I like doing fun stuff.”

And Kelsey Traffis had the same idea, but she also thinks it’s a good way to see friends.

“Most of our friends are here, so it’s pretty cool,” Kelsey said.

Parents said they see the benefits of the program, too.

Rhonda Lewis knows her third-grade daughter, Randa, is excited for days she gets to go to KIDZ in ACTION.

“She’ll get up and yell, ‘It’s Wednesday!’ She has absolutely loved it and can’t wait until Wednesdays,” Lewis said.

Crotchett said she’s enjoyed teaching the girls how to stay active and how to do a few dance moves in the process. She’s even contemplating continuing after her GRP project is completed.
 
“I hope to keep this project going along,” she said. “Child obesity is a big thing.”

 

 

 

For more photos, look for new photo galleries under the Photos tab.

Trackback(0)
Comments (0)add comment
feedSubscribe to this comment's feed

Write comment
You must be logged in to post a comment. Please register if you do not have an account yet.

busy
< Prev   Next >
 

Quick Job Search