By Mandy McFarland Editor
NAPPANEE — Local students have become ‘ACES’ at exercising and staying in shape.
Last Wednesday, May 7, Nappanee Elementary School participated in ACES Day (All Students Exercising Simultaneously), a one-day physical fitness program in celebration of National Physical Fitness and Sport Month.
With computers, TV, video games and other indoor activities becoming more and more popular with kids, the Indiana Association for Health and Physical Education, Recreation and Dance felt it would be beneficial to set aside one day to teach students the benefits of exercise.

At 10 a.m., students in schools throughout Indiana met for 30 minutes of stretching, running and other healthy activities. Students at Nappanee Elementary met outside on the soccer field. They began with various stretches, jumping jacks, push-ups and other warm ups.
Next, they ran or walked the Bulldog Mile, circling the field until they had gone approximately one mile. At first everyone was required to run at their own pace. Then, students had their choice to continue running or to slow to a walk. Finally, everyone was required to walk as a cool-down.
Nappanee and Woodview Elementary physical education teacher Peggy Bough  believes activities like ACES Day are important to teach children to stay fit through physical activity.
Students enjoyed the opportunity to get away from the classroom for a while and burn off some excess energy while learning.
“Exercise helps us,” Ricky Howard, fifth grade, said. “Especially in P.E., because when we play games we run, too.”
For Ashley Yoder, fifth grade, gym is a favorite class.
“Because we can stay fit and healthy,” she said.
“We need to promote fitness as much as we can,” she said. “I hope that at some point the students do understand how important physical fitness is and that they’ll pick up something from the activity and take that with them.”