Sen. Carper Announces “President’s Challenge” State Champions

Wilmington – Sussex County’s Mariner Middle School, formerly Milton Middle School, and New Castle County’s Corpus Christi School have been named state champion schools by the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, Senator Carper announced today. The President’s Challenge Physical Activity and Fitness Awards Program, available to the nation’s schools since 1958, offers presidential recognition and awards for fitness to all participating young people. The program offers a range of fitness levels to show that everyone is a winner in fitness. The State Champion award is presented annually to up to three schools in each state with the highest number of students scoring at or above the 85th percentile on the President’s Challenge. Schools are selected based on total enrollment. “I am proud of the students at Mariner Middle School and Corpus Christi School for their dedication to staying physically fit. Keep up the good work!” said Senator Carper. “I exercise every day. Whether I go to the gym or take a jog through one of our local parks, I make sure that I find time to fit some sort of physical activity into my busy schedule.” Schools designated as a State Champion receive a distinctive award certificate as well as statewide and national recognition for their fitness achievement. Students who help their school earn this designation by scoring at or above the 85th percentile in all five components of the President’s Challenge receive an embroidered State Champion emblem and certificate. The five assessments of the President’s Challenge measure four components of physical fitness: a one-mile run/walk for heart and lung endurance; curl-ups for abdominal strength and endurance; a “sit and reach” stretch for muscular flexibility; pull-ups for upper body strength and endurance; and a shuttle run for agility. Instructors are encouraged to design units so children can gradually improve their fitness levels to meet those outlined by the President’s Challenge program. The President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports serves as an advisory body to the President and the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services on matters involving physical activity/fitness and sports participation. To enhance the ability of the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports to reach out and impact the health of Americans through physical activity, a new website and motivational tool has been created for all Americans to use to track their activity and earn Presidential recognition. Visit www.presidentschallenge.org to learn more. Please contact Jeff McClaine, Associate Director, The President’s Challenge (812-855-8972) with any questions.