Be There: 2012 Healthy School Makeover Contest

COLUMBUS, GA (WTVM) - Students at Reese Road Leadership Academy in Columbus are working on a music video they hope will help them get healthier.

The school is entering the 2012 Healthy School Makeover Contest. It is a nationwide contest for schools with a grand prize of $45,000 worth of physical education curriculum, training, and equipment.

Schools have to submit a video explaining why they should win. For, Reese Road Physical Education teacher Zachary Woods, it is all about fighting childhood obesity especially when studies show about 40% of kids in Georgia are overweight.

"It is really important that we as a county and as a state really try to tackle this epidemic that is going on in our state, and we could definitely do that with an enhanced physical education program all around," said Woods.

While the students are working on their music video with lyrics about exercise and health to the tune of the hit song "Call Me Maybe," Principal Jeanella Pendleton says winning could also help them in the classroom.

"When you get moving and get active that means more blood to the brain. The more focused the kids are, and the better the student achievement. I really believe that," said Pendleton.

Heather Colwell, a parent, thinks it is awesome that the school is working hard to get kids healthy.

"With the equipment that they could win, the kids really need as much as they can get. Some of them don't get it at home. So, whatever they can get here would be great," said Colwell.

These students say their reaction to winning would be just like the song says: they will go crazy.

"I would be really, really, really happy and excited for all of us," said Amaiya Johnson, a 3^rd grade student.

The school needs your help to win. The community has to vote for Reese Road Leadership Academy's video for them to be chosen as a finalist. Voting will be open November 1^st through November 14^th. You can go to the following website to vote for your favorite video.

http://bit.ly/HealthySchoolContest

http://promoshq.wildfireapp.com/website/6/contests/234303

Reese Road said if they do win, they will be sharing their resources with other schools in the district.

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