by Sott Sacry
Lone Rock teacher Art Perez has had his kids jumping rope for the last 25 years, and in the process they have raised over $50,000. Starting in 1998, Lone Rock students from kindergarten to 6th grade have participated in the Jump Rope for Heart event, which raises money and awareness for the American Heart Association (AHA). This year’s event on February 2nd raised around $2,200, putting the overall total over the years above $50,000.
Similar to other school fundraisers, students coerce parents, friends, relatives and neighbors to sponsor them to participate in the event. When the students reach a certain amount of money they win various prizes; this year, $25 raised wins a stuffed animal and $1000 raised wins a disco speaker.
“Most kids aim for the $50 prize so they can win a t-shirt,” said Perez. “One year I had two sisters who got very competitive with each other. One raised $600 while the other raised $700.”
“We make the actual event fun for the kids,” said Perez. “It’s generally sports themed, and we encourage the kids to wear their favorite team’s jerseys or their Lone Rock jersey. For each class we see who can go the longest without stopping. We always have a bunch of volunteers to help. We have others swing the rope for the younger kids because some haven’t mastered the skill yet. It is an interactive way to learn about heart issues while being active.”
“We have to make sure the kids don’t overexert themselves,” added Perez. “They are so excited to participate and get going that some of them go out too fast and burn out, so we have to watch them and sometimes save them from themselves.”
According to Perez, the program is helpful because it raises money for the AHA, which it uses to help and educate people, but also the kids get to learn a lot about the heart.
“We use the event to educate the kids,” said Perez. “We use math to take their pulse and calculate pre- and post-workout heart rate levels. Then they learn a lot about heart health. Most people know someone whose life has been altered by heart problems. The AHA always sends a lot of supplies and materials and posters, so the kids get a lot of good information.”
Perez began teaching physical education at Lone Rock Schools around the same time Dan Quayle began his vice presidency in 1989. Perez has coached most of the sports offered at Lone Rock throughout his tenure, and he still coaches flag football and boys basketball.
“I have a lot of current students whose parents were my students, which is weird,” said Perez. “I see former students all over the place. I’ll have these big, bearded men tap me on the shoulder, look down at me and say ‘do you remember me, Mr. Perez?’ I usually do, but sometimes it takes a while.”
Opened in 1885, the Lone Rock School has students from K-8 and is the oldest continuously operating public school in Montana. To learn more go to lonerockschools.org or call at (406) 777-3314. To learn more about the AHA and their programs go to heart.org.