Area Students Join a Global Burst of Exercise

Jane Fonda would be proud.

Students at Ventura’s Lincoln Elementary School already know the value of a good, sweaty workout.

But just to make it clear to the world, about 280 students stormed out of their classes Wednesday at 10 a.m. sharp and began jogging, skipping rope, dancing and doing aerobics.

“It’s really good for our bodies,” said fourth-grader Tonisha Franklin, who was jumping rope with a crush of classmates. “We could grow up and be famous by doing good exercises.”

The Workout Queen herself must surely approve.

The fitness fest was part an international awareness program called All Children Exercise Simultaneously. To promote exercise and healthy habits, the Lincoln students joined more than 7,000 youngsters in Ventura and Ojai--not to mention an estimated 10 million around the globe--by burning calories in a 15-minute workout spree.

“I think it sends a real powerful message in stressing the importance of physical fitness and exercise and living a healthy lifestyle,” said Kerrie Anderson, a local organizer for the event.

A boombox blasting disco music transformed the school’s courtyard into an open-air aerobics studio with students shimmying to ‘70s hits like “Boogie Wonderland” and “The Hustle.”

“Keep your arms straight,” teacher-turned-aerobics-instructor LaDonna Stammen told the students. “Keep going. Keep breathing.”

There were no leotards. No spandex. But there was no falling out of line either.

“Exercise is very important to getting the brain going,” Stammen said.

During Wednesday’s workout blitz, students got to choose from a smorgasbord of athletic activities, including sprints around the playground and line dancing inside the cafeteria.

Some, like third-grader Joseph Do, had to stop and get a drink of water.

“I’m tired, man,” 9-year-old Joseph told his pal Craig Miller, also a third-grader.

But third-grader Marissa Aguilera said 15 minutes of jumping rope was hardly an endurance test.

“I jump rope a lot,” Marissa said. “This is very easy. It’s good to stay in shape. You look good when you stay in shape.”