STRONG – Every fall and spring, middle school students at Strong School have the opportunity to prove how fit and healthy they are by participating in the President’s Council for Physical Fitness Testing. Students in fifth-, sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grades were tested during their physical education classes and retested recently.

The test is composed of several activities that include curl-ups, which measure strength and endurance by the number done in one minute; the shuttle which gauges agility and quickness; a one-mile walk/run to test their heart and lung endurance; pull-ups/pushups that measure body strength and endurance; and the sit and reach component to test flexibility of the lower back and ham strings.

Students scoring at or above the 85th percentile are recognized for an outstanding level of fitness and receive the Presidential Physical Fitness Award. The National Physical Fitness Award recognized those who exceed the 50th percentile.

This year a number of physical education teacher Scott Martin’s students received awards: Mikayla Burbank, Derek Allen, Mikayla Luce, Travis Viles, Quincy Mitman, Lizzie Carlton, Taylor Henderson, Ethan Boyd, Samantha Boyd, Danielle Smith, Amanda Richards, Nathan Knox, Lincoln Dyar, Jade Lude, James Barker and Martin Clarrage.