Southwest Elementary participated in a very special community service program to raise funds for the American Heart Association that fights against our nation’s No. 1 and No. 3 killers — cardiovascular diseases and stroke.

They joined three other elementary schools (Voyager, Latson and Challenger) in the district to hold one large event. The event took place at Highlander Way Middle School, February 9 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. This three hour event was a great success.

As you walked into the gymnasium, you were greeted by four representatives from each school at a table. Each participant received a punch card with nine names of jump rope stations. After each station, a hole was punched in the card on a decorative bullet shaped like a heart.

There were snacks and water supplied by the local Wal-Mart store, as well as a DJ to make the event exciting.

If all nine stations were completed, a prize was given on your way out. The prize was a coupon that Subway supplied.

The volunteers at the event were the ones that made it a success. The Physical Education teachers from the schools planned the event, with help of the Jump Rope for Heart representative. The Howell varsity girls basketball team helped run each station with tremendous enthusiasm, thanks to their head coach and Physical Education teacher at Highlander Way, Tricia Clark. Southwest’s student council also helped run the stations, thanks to Karen French 5th grade teacher at Southwest Elementary. There was even a security guard at the front door, making sure all participants were given directions as they entered the school. There were many parents from all four schools that came to help.

There is already a plan for next year’s event to be even larger, including all seven elementary schools in the district of Howell. This was the first time these schools have joined together for an event like this, and hopefully not the last.