Tackling fitness with Tressel

BERLIN HEIGHTS — State officials took their mission to make Ohio students the healthiest versions of themselves to a local school district this week. On Monday, Ohio Lt. Gov Jim Tressel — who's also the former head football coach for the Ohio State Buckeyes — former Ohio State and NFL player Ted Ginn Jr. and U.S. Rep. D.J. Swearingen, R-Huron, visited Edison Middle School to participate in the Team Tressel Fitness Challenge. The challenge was created by Tressel, Gov. Mike DeWine and the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce director Stephen Dackin to create healthy lifestyles, according to Tressel. Tressel said he believes if kids feel good, they will be more active, better in the classroom, and their behavior will also be positively impacted while they have fun doing the challenge and getting their friends and family involved. "It's trying to help kids feel better about themselves, and — let's face it — health is important," Tressel said. "You get good, healthy habits at a young age, it will be great for them." Tressel said there are several initiatives across the state to support Ohioans, but he wanted to create one with students and their health at its center. There are about 700 schools signed up for the challenge, which is targeted toward fourth- through eighth-grade students. "What the governor wanted was to challenge our youth because he always says he wants every Ohioan safe, he wants every Ohioan healthy, and he wants every Ohioan to reach their God-given potential," Tressel said. Tressel has been making his rounds across the state, visiting the participating middle schools, with Edison Middle School among the most recent stops. After a quick video about the challenge was shown, middle school principal Cory Smith told his students to get on their feet to cheer for Tressel's entrance. He ran into the gym as "Hang On Sloopy," a song used to get Ohio State fans excited for football games, played over the speakers. To take the challenge a step further and to get students excited, Tressel called on Ginn Jr. to become captain of the challenge. Ginn Jr. helped Tressel with the day's assembly along with a few students who volunteered. What is the challenge? There are three levels to the challenge: bronze, silver and gold. Students use a challenge workbook to track their progress in three focuses: physical activity, nutrition and sleep. If students complete a level, then they will be recognized on the challenge's social media channel. By participating and reaching levels, students also earn certificates for their fitness accomplishments signed by Ginn Jr., Tressel and DeWine. To help explain the challenge, Ginn Jr., the students who volunteered and a few other school and state officials — like superintendent Corey Ream, Smith and Swearingen — started by demonstrating a few exercises that can be found in the workbook, like jumping jacks, dance, push-ups and toe touches. Tressel told the students that, by the end of the challenge, state officials hope they feel better, healthier, stronger and more in shape. After the students had their turn demonstrating, Tressel and Ginn Jr. called on the school's teachers to show off their balance skills. Besides exercise, Tressel and his team spoke on the importance of sleep and nutrition and gave helpful tips on how to succeed in both areas: • Turn off electronics before bed • Get the recommended hours of sleep per night; The middle school age group should get nine hours. • Replace drinks packed with sugar with glasses of water When all of these tips are put into practice, a person can elevate their focus. Tressel ended the assembly by testing the school's listening and focus skills through a game similar to "Simon Says." Tressel would call out a command like "clap for the staff" or "hand for Teddy," and players would either clap one time or raise their hand. He started by challenging the school's staff, then the students and then everyone together. After a few unsuccessful attempts, the school was finally synchronized and the gym erupted in cheers and celebration before sending Tressel off.