Brown students 'run for their life'

Photos/Suzanne Loudamy Joanna Moran celebrates the accumulation of 100 miles of running.

Each year Coach Rhonda Cates at Brown Elementary encourages her P.E. classes to "run for their life." Students participate in the mileage run from the beginning of the year.

"This program is to help them learn a lifetime exercise," Cates said. "Running is an exercise for good health for life."

The students participating have run more than 3,000 miles so far this school year.

The top runner this year was Joanna Moran coming in with 100 miles.

Second place was Spencer Otero, and tied for third place were Kimberly Flores and Austin Davis.

Kenneth Spencer raised the highest amount, $150, with online donations for Jump Rope for Heart. This is a week-long lesson that teaches the students how jumping rope can increase their heart rate and also the lesson on helping their community. All the money raised goes to the American Heart Association to help prevent heart disease and stroke.

Pictured, left to right, are Brown Elementary athletes Kenneth Spencer, Spencer Otero, Kimberly Flores, Joanna Moran and Austin Davis.