Natalie Porterfield didn't break a sweat as she maneuvered her body to keep three Hula-Hoops going at once.
Why would she? The Desert Willow Elementary School first-grader has been Hula-Hooping since the age of 3, although she had only ever practiced with one.
The Hula-Hoop contest was part of Desert Willow's Hoops for Heart/Jump Rope for Heart fundraiser benefiting the American Heart Association.
Armed with information on how they could prevent heart disease and the importance of healthy eating and living, Desert Willow students began collecting donations in January from friends and family, said Jay Holmaas, a physical education teacher who organized the event.
Last year, Desert Willow students raised about $5,000 for the American Heart Association, Holmaas said. The amount raised this year has not yet been determined.
People are also reading…
The students' efforts were capped off Friday with a field day full of physical activities.
"This is a wonderful way for kids to come out and exercise and to focus on heart health," said second-grade teacher Molly Gerbi.
There was tug of war, ring toss, jump roping, basketball free-throw shooting, various relays and tire rolling.
For 9-year-old Cameron Jacobs, the sack race relay proved to be challenging as he took a few spills before getting back to his classmates, but he maintained a smile all along.
"I'm thankful to get outside and have fun," Jacobs said.
First-grader Josiah Wallace agreed. "I like being outside better than everything," he said.
The American Heart Association recommends that children get at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day. Increased physical activity has been associated with an increased life expectancy and decreased risk of cardiovascular disease as well as related risk factors such as high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol and obesity.
In 2008, seven Arizona children died of heart disease, according to the Arizona Department of Health Services. Of those, two were from Pima County.
For more information on heart health, go online to www.americanheart.org.
Contact reporter Alexis Huicochea at 573-4175 or ahuicochea@azstarnet.com
