Rachel Carson Elementary Students Jump Into Fight Against Heart Disease

Students at Rachel Carson Elementary in Sammamish raised more than $6,000 for the American Heart Association as part of the Jump Rope for Heart program in February.

And fourth-grader Kate Bigbee, whose family has been touched by heart disease, raised more than $1,350, the most of any student in the state.

“I’m so pleased with the success of this year’s event,” said Carson parent and youth market director for the AHA, Dawn McCutcheon. “We had so much fun teaching the students how they can play a role in saving lives.”

The program promotes physical activity and heart health through jumping rope. It is co-sponsored by the American Heart Association and the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance.

At Carson, it started with an assembly featuring local athletes from the jump rope performing team, the “Hot Dogs.” Carson staff all wore red in honor of National Wear Red for Women day on Feb. 1. Students displayed paper hearts in honor of a loved one, learned jump rope routines in physical education class and worked hard to spread awareness about heart disease with their fundraising efforts.