Jumping for a Cause

Joseph A. Edgar Intermediate School students participated in the American Heart Association’s Jump Rope for Heart event this February. Several students are pictured here along with physical education teachers Joe Camarda, Maria Amoscato and Lauren Famighetti. Photo provided by Rocky Point School District.  

Joseph A. Edgar Intermediate School students jumped to new heights this winter as they participated in the building’s annual fundraising program for the American Heart Association. This year’s Jump Rope for Heart event involved students in grades three through five and raised $8,110 for the cause, $900 of which was collected by top student-fundraiser Jared Massa.

To prepare for the main event, students learned about different jump roping techniques – including traditional style and Chinese jump rope – and perfected their skills during their physical education classes. During the afterschool event, attendees enjoyed an hour of free jump before participating in several jump-off contests. Students competed by gender and grade level before turning the floor over to staff members and parents who also took a turn at jumping for the cause. The event culminated with a Chinese auction, where the students took chances on wonderful prizes, many of which were donated by the school’s PTA.

The event was held in honor of American Heart Month and was once again organized by physical education teacher Maria Amoscato. Proceeds from the program help to not only raise awareness of heart health issues, but also funds for continued research.

The jump-off winners were:

Third-Grade

Boys: Matthew LoPresti

Girls: Rebecca Rando

Fourth-Grade:

Boys: Trevor Lamoureux

Girls: Madisen Buonaiuto

Fifth-Grade:

Boys: Damien Stevenson

Girls: Ashley Rose Olsen

Adult: Lisa Celentano