thedrifter
05-22-07, 09:27 AM
Monday, May 21, 2007
The few, the proud, the fit
Marines land in Stanton to hand out physical education awards to St. Polycarp students.
By JOSHUA SUDOCK
The Orange County Register
Stanton
Eighteen years ago, physical education teacher Bryan Pendergast was looking for new ways to inspire her students at St. Polycarp Catholic School.
She called the Marines.
The Marine Youth Physical Fitness Program inspires children to achieve fitness goals with competitions, awards and mentoring opportunities.
"If we can work out their energy on the athletic field, they're going to pay better attention in the classroom," said retired Master Gunnery Sgt. Rudy Cardon. "And when you see these children healthy, it fires you up (as a Marine) big time."
Friday, two Marine helicopters – a Huey UH1-N helicopter and an AH1-W Cobra – landed on the Stanton school's athletic field to the cheers of scores of kindergarten through eighth-grade pupils. The children chanted "U-S-A," waved U.S. flags and greeted the Marines with high-fives and salutes.
Twenty Marines from Camp Pendleton, some who drove to the campus, spent the day answering questions, handing out fitness awards and signing autographs.
"The kids look forward to the Marines' visit every year," Pendergast said. "The helicopters and the men inspire them to no end."
"They were loud, but it was really cool," second-grader Matthew Oviatt said.
For information on the Marines' fitness program, visit marineyouthfoundation.org/.
Contact the writer: 714-7043738 or jsudock@ocregister.com
Ellie
The few, the proud, the fit
Marines land in Stanton to hand out physical education awards to St. Polycarp students.
By JOSHUA SUDOCK
The Orange County Register
Stanton
Eighteen years ago, physical education teacher Bryan Pendergast was looking for new ways to inspire her students at St. Polycarp Catholic School.
She called the Marines.
The Marine Youth Physical Fitness Program inspires children to achieve fitness goals with competitions, awards and mentoring opportunities.
"If we can work out their energy on the athletic field, they're going to pay better attention in the classroom," said retired Master Gunnery Sgt. Rudy Cardon. "And when you see these children healthy, it fires you up (as a Marine) big time."
Friday, two Marine helicopters – a Huey UH1-N helicopter and an AH1-W Cobra – landed on the Stanton school's athletic field to the cheers of scores of kindergarten through eighth-grade pupils. The children chanted "U-S-A," waved U.S. flags and greeted the Marines with high-fives and salutes.
Twenty Marines from Camp Pendleton, some who drove to the campus, spent the day answering questions, handing out fitness awards and signing autographs.
"The kids look forward to the Marines' visit every year," Pendergast said. "The helicopters and the men inspire them to no end."
"They were loud, but it was really cool," second-grader Matthew Oviatt said.
For information on the Marines' fitness program, visit marineyouthfoundation.org/.
Contact the writer: 714-7043738 or jsudock@ocregister.com
Ellie