Amy Batista, Special Writer
MONROE — Hundreds of students at Woodland Elementary School came to school Tuesday dressed in red and doing something in the name of love, but it had little to do with Valentine’s Day.
February is American Heart Month.
Students filed into the gym for the Valentine’s Day Jump Rope for Heart event. Seas of red could be seen in the gym as the students wore red shirts to raise awareness of cardiovascular disease. They were there to support loved ones who may have diabetes, suffered heart attacks or strokes.
Every year, about 950,000 Americans die from cardiovascular diseases and strokes, according to the American Heart Association website, www.heart.org.
”It takes a couple of weeks (to prepare for the Jump Rope for Heart event),” said Serena DeFelice, physical education teacher. “The students raise the donations, and we introduce what’s going on. We really give them some education and background of what’s going on. Then we have a big buildup on Valentine’s Day where the students get to come down and celebrate why they raised this money to a good cause and to really feel good about themselves and how they are helping others.”
Ross Schultz, physical education teacher, was in charge of organizing the event.
Woodland students raised $14,000 this year and have raised $195,600 to date over the past 11 years they have been fundraising for Jump Rope for Heart for the American Heart Association.
”I think it’s awesome” said Kelly Antonacci, of Monroe. “The kids enjoy it. I think the money they raise is amazing. This year was another incentive, and the kids went full force. I’m pretty sure they brought in more money this year, but it’s amazing, and it’s fun.”
The goal is to teach kids the benefits of regular exercise and to show how a healthy lifestyle can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
About 520 third-, fourth- and fifth-graders participated in two separate Jump Rope for Heart sessions. During those sessions, the students had various stations and activities to choose from which included individual jump rope, big group jump rope, bowl-a-rama, an obstacle course with a scooter, grand slam bean bag toss, dance revolution, knock hockey, a table filled with word finds and puzzles, a dedication wall with memory cards to fill out and a DJ.
”I like the event because we get to help people with heart disease,” said fifth-grader Tommy Glade. “I think it’s kind of fun jump roping. My favorite is the big jump roping.”
”My favorite thing about this event is that we are helping people by jumping and donating the money to help them,” said fifth-grader Hailey Edlich.
Some of the students talked about how they were honoring loved ones at the event and jumping in honor of them.
”I’m jumping for my grandfather,” said fifth-grader Amanda Hernandez. “I like this event because I’m having so much fun, and I am jumping with my friends.”
”It’s an amazing activity that raises money for Jump Rope for Heart,” said fifth-grade teacher Maura Towne.
”If you look up there,” she said while pointing to the Jump Rope for Heart banners hanging on the wall, “the kids really go above and beyond to show that they care about other people and show that they care about our community.”
”I think it’s a wonderful event,” said parent Rosemarie Kiecka. “They raise a lot of money. This school happens to be one of the biggest money raisers in the area. It just brings all the kids together and gets them going for a great cause. We are very proud of this event.”
Noteworthy was the many types of jump roping taking place at the event, however, the group jump roping seemed to be the most popular. What started out as a large group jumping eventually would work its way down to an individual jumping through elimination.
”I think when the girls do the Double Dutch, it’s my favorite event,” Ms. Kiecka said.
”I like the group jump,” said fifth-grader William Kiecka.

