Members of the fourth and firth grade class at Cunningham Grade School pose.

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Members of the fourth and firth grade class at Cunningham Grade School pose.

American Spirit Nets $4,509

April 17, 2007by Brenda Sharp

Results of Local American Heart Association Event

Although the lights have dimmed and the decorations have been removed, the spirit of Jump Rope For Heart is alive.  Students in USD 332 rallied together to raise $4,509.08 for the American Heart Association as they promoted cardiovascular fitness during the 2007 Jump Rope For Heart event.

            By all accounts American Spirit was a HUGE success.  Besides teaching the importance of keeping one's heart healthy through regular aerobic exercise, Jump Rope For Heart continues to provide an opportunity for the youth of Cunningham and Zenda to learn about volunteerism and the importance of giving to people in need.  The challenge for the students was to exceed 2006’s donation.  Without a doubt both communities should be proud of the students’ outstanding efforts in exceeding all expectations.

            Top fund raiser for the 2007 Jump Rope for Heart event from Cunningham Grade School was Kiplee Richards.  Richards, a fifth grader, raised a grand total of $150.  Representing Zenda Charter School as its top fund raiser was Joseph Houston.  Houston, a fourth grader, collected $92.  Both of these students will receive a congratulatory letter from the American Heart Association.  Jump Rope for Heart

            Base upon the amount of donations each individual participant collected, the American Heart Association awards prizes.  However, additional incentive opportunities were implemented to encourage students’ participation.  T-SHIRT CLUB:  In order to become a member of the T-Shirt Club, students needed at least $50 in donations. Members of the 2007 T-Shirt Club included kindergarteners Brayden Schnittker, Taner Hansen, Lauren Murphy and Isabelle Wegerer; first graders Kalie Albers, Paige DeWeese, Alec Schnittker, Jenna Fitzsimmons, Cali McGuire, Jacob Milburn, Kylee Ricke and Jaden Strohl; second graders Darius McAdam, Brynn McKennon, Spencer McNerny, Mikaela Meyers, Bryce Murphy and Madalene Wegerer; third graders Nathan Albers, Samuel Dorsey, Jacob Earley, Christopher Hansen, Corban Hansen, Devin Hargett, Bryce McKennon, Timothy Patton, Tayler Strickland and Andrea Vierthaler; fouth graders Leeanna Dorsey, Brittany Earley, Joseph Houston, Heather Kerschen, Christopher Kresyman, Kortney Ricke and Blake Strickland; fifth graders James Fitzsimmons, Kiplee Richards, Taryne Shearer and Brandon Sterneker; sixth graders Dustin Hageman and Brooke Kerschen and seventh grader Bayleigh Meyers.  As members of the T-Shirt Club, these students autographed Mrs. Sharp’s official Jump Rope For Heart shirt.  CENTURY CLUB:  Students raising $100 or more for the American Heart Association became members of the Century Club.  In recognition of their efforts, the 17 members of the Century Club will sign the 2007 Jump Rope For Heart banner which will be displayed in the gymnasium.  Members of the 2007 Century Club are Brayden Schnittker, Lauren Murphy, Kalie Albers, Paige DeWeese, Alec Schnittker,  Jacob Milburn, Jaden Strohl, Spencer McNerny, Mikaela Meyers, Bryce Murphy, Nathan Albers, Andrea Vierthaler, Heather Kerschen, Kortney Ricke, Kiplee Richards, Taryne Shearer and Bayleigh Meyers.  GRAND PRIZE:  The girl and boy from each grade level who collected the most donations received an additional prize package.  This elite group of Grand Prize honorees included Kindergarteners Lauren Murphy and Brayden Schnittker; First Graders Kalie Albers and Jaden Strohl, Second Graders Mikaela Meyers and Bryce Murphy; Third Graders Andrea Vierthaler and Nathan Albers; Fourth Graders Heather Kerschen and Blake Strickland; Fifth Graders Taryne Shearer and Kiplee Richards; and Junior High students Bayleigh Meyers and Dustin Hageman.  The Grand Prize winner from Zenda Charter School was fourth grader Joseph Houston.  RANDOM PRIZES:  Nearly 85 additional prizes were distributed during the random prize drawings held throughout the three-day event.

            According to the AHA's research, cardiovascular diseases kill more Americans than all other causes of death combined.  All funds raised through Jump Rope for Heart benefits the American Heart Association's research and public education programs.

            USD 332 will received two awards from the American Heart Association.  In recognition of the students' efforts in the Jump Rope for Heart, a congratulatory gym banner will be presented to Cunningham and Zenda.  These banners will be displayed in the school’s gymnasium.  Furthermore, USD 332 will receive a $200 gift certificate to US Games, a physical education equipment company.  These dollars will be used to supplement the physical education department.   

            CONGRATULATIONS and THANKS to the 2007 American Heart Association Jump Rope for Heart participants, the generous community sponsors and to the following volunteers:   Kingman McDonald's, (at Zenda Charter School ) Darlene Oeding, Rita Goetz, Anne Fizer, Bonnie Mertens, Lorene DeVries, Tresea Schnittker, Marci Adams, Becky King, Junell Swingle, Pat Neises, Joyce Westerman, Gregory Johnson, (at Cunningham Grade School) Heidi McKennon, Brock McKennon, LeRoy Panek, Maddison Panek, Angela and Aaron Murphy, Brent Miller, Erin and Frank Strohl, Rita Strohl, Cindy Panek, Bobbie Earley, Jessica and Thayne Ediger, Ruth and Todd Shelman, Jeannette Kerschen, Colleen Kerschen, Vicki and John Steffen, Marilyn and Gary Vierthaler, Kim Hansen, Kristin and Kevin Wegerer, Maxwell and William Wegerer, Renee Ruckle, Jonathan and Jack Ruckle, Sharri Hageman, Heather and Ed Albers, Michelle Patton, Jane Meyers, Sandra and Bruce Milburn, Delores Albers, Christie and Leon Murphy, Kevin Schwertfeger, Jacque Schouten, Brenda and Gary Sterneker, Holly Youngers, Tiffany and Jeremiah Schnittker, Diana and Gary Wegerer, Mary and Gary Fitzsimmons, Jodi and John Fischer, Alexa and Jake Fischer, Janet and Dale DeWeese, Tiffany Schnittker, Joel McNerny, Marilyn and Jay Mavity, Tina and Eric Meyers, Morgan Meyers, Judy and Scott DeWeese, Holly and Trey DeWeese, Angie McGuire, Nadine Hope, Dean Fitzsimmons, Amy McGuire, Alayna and Luke McGuire, 8^th grade twirlers, 2^nd grade twirlers, Kathy Hartley, Pam Liebl, Ingrid Ricke, Jerree Fitzsimmons, Liz Miller, Phil Theis, Linda Kerschen, Lanny Scholes, Shirley Raney, Julia Murphy and Lorri Gilchrist as well as numerous tourist who visited American Spirit during the 2007 campaign.