Fit Kids Finale!

Last Wednesday was the final day of Fit Kids at Cottonwood Elementary, the principal and mayor of Cottonwood came out for the medal ceremony. Some of the kids behaved nicely while we called out names and handed out medals, but others couldn't sit still, fidgeting and talking loudly, even running around! We had the medal ceremony right off the bat, so even with the distractions I would have to say it went smoothly considering the kids were really antsy. 

Since it was the last day I thought I would let the kids choose what games they wanted to play. There was absolutely no question what game was the fan favorite: Sharks and Minnows!!! Without getting into too much detail it is essentially a modified game of tag. We played for over 45 minutes, it seemed those elementary energizers would play forever, yet slowly but surely groups of two and three would sit down on the benches, completely exhausted. 

While it was my last day with Cottonwood Elementary and I was going to miss heading down the hill every Wednesday, I could leave there that day knowing that I had made an impact, even if it was very slight, in the lives of some kids. Throughout the program I received positive feedback not only from parents and other adults but most importantly from the kids themselves. All the big smiles and happy excited greetings I got every time school ended were confirmation enough. In addition to this (and one of my favorite moments over the eight weeks) I was bestowed with the nickname "Jet" on my last day. My awe-inspiring display of speed several weeks back was more than reason enough for my 9, 10, and 11 year olds to gift me with such a high honor. I laughed inside as they gathered around to ask if they could call me that, and of course I agreed. Who wouldn't? 

I'll be returning to Cottonwood in a few weeks however, to start the middle school program! A little older, much more wiser, I expect for that group to be just as entertaining and challenging as this one was and I'm very much looking forward to it!