Students and teachers at St. Richard Catholic School officially kicked off the Project Fit America program this week with special guest speaker Patrick House, Biggest Loser’s season 10 winner. The Project Fit America (PFA) equipment and curriculum is funded through a grant from the Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation.

“The students and staff members are really enjoying our new program,” said St. Richard Catholic School principal Lisa Geimer. “The childrenare excited about using the new equipment and look for ways to find extra time to use it. Our goal is for this enthusiasm to go home with the students and have them get their families involved in getting active as well.”

PFA is a national non-profit organization that provides cardiovascular health and fitness programs to schools and creates opportunities for children to be active, fit and healthy as part of the everyday school experience. Since 2006, the Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation has invested over $4.5 million to place Project Fit America equipment at 188 elementary and middle schools around the state. Components of the PFA program include outdoor and indoor physical fitness equipment, structured physical fitness curriculum, and training for physical education teachers.

“We’re proud to support a program that is helping kids become more active and learn about making choices that will support a healthy lifestyle now and in the future,” said
Sheila Grogan, Executive Director of the Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation. “Mississippi is continuing to make progress toward a healthier future, and the Foundation is pleased to be part of that progress through our investments and leadership.”

For more information on the Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation, visit its website at healthiermississippi.org. To learn more about Project Fit America, visit projectfitamerica.org and to learn more about St. Richard Catholic School visit strichardschool.org.

a poem by St Richards 5th grader Hannah Dear