# Luling Elementary scores top shelf fitness center 

The country and the state of Louisiana have made children's fitness an agenda and Luling is on the front line of that charge. Luling Elementary School was one of three schools in Louisiana selected to receive a Don't Quit! Fitness Center by Louisiana governor John Bel Edwards and the National Foundation for Governors' Fitness Councils.

About 500 excited students took part in an assembly in the school cafeteria recently to unveil the fitness center. When the ribbons were cut, the students got a glimpse at the shiny new equipment that will help build a lifetime of health for the children.  
Johnny Braud, a physical education teacher at the school is excited for the students' future.

"This fitness center gives our students the opportunity to be responsible for their own health," he said. "The skills and knowledge they learn by having access to this equipment will impact them for a lifetime. It's fun, exciting, and challenging. I can't think of a better way to help them become a physically literate individual."

The other two schools in the state receiving fitness center awards were: Park Elementary School in Baton Rouge and Valverda Elementary School in Maringoui.

"The schools are the state's most outstanding schools for demonstrating leadership in getting and keeping their students fit," Jake Steinfeld, chairman of the National Foundation for Governors' Fitness Councils, said in a press release. 

In the same press material, Edwards emphasized how important a child's fitness is for long-term health.

"Partnering with Jake Steinfeld and the National Foundation for Governors' Fitness Centers to bring the Don't Quit! Fitness campaign to Louisiana is a giant step forward in helping our kids get fit and stay healthy," Edwards said. "I want to congratulate Park Elementary, Luling Elementary and Valverda Elementary for being named fitness champions."

The National Foundation for Governors' Fitness Councils program will eventually be in all 50 states. Each fitness center is financed through public/private partnerships with companies like The Coca-Cola Company, Anthem Foundation and Nike, and does not rely on taxpayer dollars or state funding. TuffStuff Fitness International provides all of the fitness equipment, which is manufactured in the United States. The Foundation's goal is to build a nation of the fittest, healthiest kids in the world.

"When I declared war on childhood obesity, I knew it would take an army of leaders to make a difference," Steinfeld said in a press release. "I was thrilled when Governor Edwards joined our efforts to help put a stop to this disease in Louisiana."

The kids were most thrilled.

"Our pep rally and ribbon cutting was amazing and flashy. I felt like we were famous. I love our new fitness center because with it, we can knock out childhood obesity," said student Payton Smith.

Luling Elementary Principal Sam Buhler said the fitness center will be a part of the school's existing physical education curriculum.

"We are excited that our fourth and fifth grade students will use this equipment in their physical education classes," Buhler said. "In addition, the Luling Elementary Running Club, a group of students who meet after school to exercise, will also use the fitness equipment for conditioning throughout the year."

Since 2012, the NFGFC has delivered fitness centers in Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Washington D.C., Georgia, New Jersey, Delaware, West Virginia, California, New Mexico, Connecticut, Virginia, Illinois, Arkansas, Florida, Texas, Ohio, Washington, Wisconsin and Arizona. In 2017, new fitness centers will be delivered in Oregon, Louisiana, Maryland and Colorado.

The new workout room includes strength training, cardio fitness and circuit training equipment.

To Luling Elementary School student T'Nes Pierre, it's the cat's meow.

"The grand opening was awesome. I have never used fitness equipment before. It was great because as my legs got sore, I knew I was getting stronger," he said.