Redwood Elementary Wins Fitness Contest, Gets $5,000

AVON LAKE, OH — An Avon Lake elementary school has been recognized for its success in getting students moving and grooving.

The 2019 Youth MOVement Contest, sponsored by the Cleveland Clinic and Community West Foundation, is a contest to help youth combat obesity. The competition challenges students to increase their daily movements and steps.

Redwood Elementary took first place in the 2019 contest, the Avon Lake schools announced. The school's students took more steps than any other elementary school student body in Northeast Ohio.

In fact, the contest was divvied into three categories: elementary schools, intermediate schools and high schools. Redwood had the most movement of any school in any category.

How did the contest organizers track student steps?

Throughout the month of February, 40 Redwood fourth-grade students were given Movbands, which tracked their movements all-day, every day. The students averaged more than 20,500 moves a day, or 11.5 daily miles per person.

As a reward for winning the contest, the Cleveland Clinic and Community West Foundation presented a $5,000 check to the students and staff of Redwood. The money will be used by the school's physical education department to buy new equipment for a ninja warrior course in the gym, as well as media equipment to produce fitness videos. Redwood's physical education teacher is Jason Hayne.

Redwood wasn't the only Avon Lake school to find success in the program, either. Learwood Middle School also took part and received a $1,000 donation from the Cleveland Clinic and the Community West Foundation.