Palmetto Bays Elementary students jump rope for heart health

Palmetto Bays Elementary students proved they have heart – and stamina – Friday morning.

The school hosted its annual “Jump Rope for Heart” event to raise money for classmate Landon Baker and to remember last year’s “heart hero” who died two months ago.

Debbie Wolfe, physical education teacher, jump-started the program in 2002 to teach students the warning signs and effects of heart disease.

“When I started, I realized that every student had a story about someone they knew that had a stroke,” Wolfe said. “So I wanted to give children a way to help people who are going through that.”

Baker was born with only one ventricle – a chamber that pumps blood from the heart to the body – and has already had two heart surgeries, Wolfe said.

Baker needs a heart transplant, but since he has Downs Syndrome – a genetic disorder that causes developmental delays – he’s low on the transplant list, Wolfe said.

“Which is a shame because everyone loves him so much,” Wolfe said.

This year’s jump-a-thon was tinged with sadness as students remembered Mason Lucas, who died about two months ago from congestive heart failure. Lucas was last year’s “heart hero” and previously had open heart surgery and extreme juvenile arthritis, Wolfe said. He was scheduled for another surgery in four years but passed away two months ago, Wolfe said.

“It’s sad because his heart hurt and we couldn’t fix it,” said fourth-grader Alisha Gudger. “But we remember him, and we all think about him sometimes.”

A large banner above the basketball hoop inside the school’s gym displayed pictures of Mason and hearts dedicated to his memory. Every once in a while students would pause jumping rope, look at the banner and smile.

Wolfe started the event in 2002 after her father had a stroke. She got involved in the American Heart Association and learned about a program specifically for school children, said.

Students collect donations starting in January and compete for prizes during the event. Kids who raise the most money or jump rope the longest win a trophy, and door prizes are given away about every 15 minutes.

“They’re beyond excited now and they’re excited every year,” said Robert Kerson, fifth grade teacher.

“The big thing that’s encouraging them is, if we reach the goal, our principal is going to dress up like a baby all day.”

The goal is $8,000 but Palmetto Bays has only raised $5,300 so far, Wolfe said. There’s still time to reach the goal – and plenty of energy from the students.

“They love jumping rope. They would do it all day if I let them,” Wolfe said.

Students met this year’s “heart hero” through the school’s morning news show, where he was introduced with his family, Wolfe said.

Baker could not attend the event due to an illness, but students were excited to help him with or without his presence.

“Helping is a good thing, because you want him to feel better,” Gudger, fourth-grader, said.

“And we want to help him so his heart feels better and makes him happier,” chimed in classmate Kimora Stevens.

This story was originally published February 20, 2015 at 1:57 PM with the headline "Palmetto Bays Elementary students jump rope for heart health."