Students to ‘Jump Rope for Heart’ in memory of Rosella Briggs

by Staff Pioneer Times
15 years ago

    For the last nine years, second- and third-graders at Houlton Elementary School have been jumping all over heart disease and stroke by participating in the Jump Rope for Heart program.
    “This is a big year for us and the students are really getting into the spirit of the event,” said Shari Good, physical education teacher.
    Houlton Elementary School will kick off its 10th year of the Jump Rope for Heart event on March 17-18.
ImageContributed photograph
IN MEMORY – Houlton Elementary School will kick off its 10th year of the Jump Rope for Heart event on March 17-18. Students will also be jumping in memory of Rosella Briggs, a special lady, who volunteered many hours at the school. This file photo shows Briggs, in the back, surrounded by students who had participated in the event.
    Students have raised $19,234.93 for the American Heart Association over nine years. It is the students’ goal to bring the total to more than $20,000 during this year’s event.
    Students will also be jumping in memory of Rosella Briggs, a special lady, who volunteered many hours at Houlton Elementary School. Briggs worked alongside Good to organize, promote and execute the Jump Rope for Heart program. Briggs’ commitment and support of the program during the last nine years will truly be missed this year.
    Jump Rope for Heart is a program designed by the American Heart Association to help teach students about being physically active and how to take care of their hearts. The money raised goes to invent new medicines, treatment and equipment that could stop heart disease for someone — even another student.
    The theme for this year’s event is “It Takes Heart To Be A Hero” and make a difference in somebody’s life. Briggs was a true hero — she made a big difference in a lot of students’ and teachers’ lives at Houlton Elementary School.
    To learn more about Jump Rope for Heart and how children are affected by heart disease and how to keep your own family healthy, visit americanheart.org/jump.