Young students compete in fitness event

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Baldwin elementary students tested their athletics abilities in the Annual Fitness Jamboree hosted by the fire department last week.

Fourth and fifth grade students contested for first place in the Baldwin Fire Department’s annual fitness competition, which invites students to participate in several physical fitness tests to win the prized Fitness Jamboree t-shirt and certificate.

Fourth and fifth grade students that qualified as school finalists in their elementary school’s physical fitness test were invited to compete against each other in a district wide jamboree at the Baldwin High School after school ended on Dec. 9. The event was ran by high school students participating in Athletes Helping Athletes — a non-profit organization focused on connecting local athletes with special needs to student-athletes in order to inspire mutual benefit and respect — and elementary school physical education teachers, like Tyshawn “Ty” Scarlett, district director of health, physical education and athletics.

“The Fitness Jamboree is a wonderful Baldwin tradition that provided a sense of normality,” said Scarlett. “It was great seeing our elementary students showcasing their skills at the high school in front of a cheering crowd. The gymnasium was full of smiles! Overall, it was a spectacular event.”

Students participated in four different physical events — push-ups, sit-ups, the shuttle run, and the long jump, which were divided by grade and gender.

In the boy’s push-ups competitions, Brookside Elementary School fourth grader Gianmarco Orozco and Lenox Elementary School fifth grader Jayden Myers took first place. In the girl’s pushup competition, Brookside fourth grader Ava Maradiaga and Brookside and Meadow elementary schools, respectively, fifth graders Shyla Adams and Isabella Ortiz took first.

In the boys sit up competitions, Meadow fourth grader Dylan Caldero and fifth grader Gavin Sorensen placed first. In the girl’s competitions, Brookside fourth grader Kiva Ugarte won first place, and Brookside fifth grader Maya Lelonek and Lenox fifth grader Liya Lyttle tied for first.

In the boy’s shuttle run races, Steele elementary school fourth grader Adrian Livingston Jr. and Meadow fifth grader Za’zir Bunn took first place. In the girl’s races Meadow fourth grader Zara Morris and Lenox fifth grader Mia Peou won. In the last competition, the long jump, fourth grader Zion Bolasingh and fifth graders Chance Dewdeny and Christian Ashley tied for first. In the girl’s long jump, fourth grader Summer Stephenson and Suri Bellamy and fifth grader Mia Peou took first places.