Lizards push healthy bodies, sharp minds

When students at Shaw Avenue Elementary School saw a six-foot-tall lizard mascot in their auditorium last week, they screamed with (mostly) excitement. They were also exited to learn that they had the chance to win prizes by being physically active and by reading.

The New York Lizards, a Long Island-based Major League Lacrosse team, are hosting the Fitness and Education Initiative to reward kids from across Long Island and other parts of New York for getting their bodies and minds active.

The four-week fitness program began on Monday, which will be followed by a four-week reading program. For each challenge, kids from 25 public and private schools in the area will log on to the Lizards’ website and record the amount of times they’re active or read outside of school.

Andrew Sclama, a senior sales executive with the Lizards, and Lazer, the team’s mascot, made a trip to Shaw Avenue on Jan. 31 where hundreds of students from kindergarten through sixth grade heard all about the initiative.

“We want you to run around,” Sclama said to the students. “We want you to play with your friends, we want you to play on your sports teams, any type of physical activity.”

When students start reaching certain numbers of hours, Sclama explained, they begin winning prizes like free Lizards’ tickets and medals. The top boy and girl participants from each grade will receive a medal, while school’s top boy and girl will be recognized prior to the Lizards’ first game of the season on April 27. The Lizards play their home games at Hofstra University’s Shuart Stadium.

Fourth grader Gregory Defranco, 9, plays soccer and swims at the Nassau County Aquatic Center. He was excited to get started with the challenge and said many other students were, too.

“I thought the assembly was inspiring for people that don’t play sports,” he said, “because now if they don’t play sports they could exercise more since they found out that they could get prizes for it.” Defranco also said he loves to read and one of his favorite authors is Dav Pilkey, who has written dozens of books including the “Captain Underpants” series.