ABERDEEN, Miss. (WTVA) - Some students at Shivers Middle School in Aberdeen showed off new special playground equipment Thursday morning.
They can still have a lot of fun on it, but at the same time they're getting in some good exercise.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation awarded a grant totaling $25,000 to the school to take part in what's called Project Fit America.
The executive director of the foundation, Sheila Grogan, said, "The program includes outdoor and indoor exercise equipment, curriculum and structured training and ongoing support for the physical education teacher."
Before student demonstrations on the equipment, school cheerleaders and city leaders marked the occasion with a Project Fit America "Opening Day Celebration" in the school gym.
It's to motivate the students about doing more to stay fit.
One student said, "It's fun for students to play and get exercise."
Another student told us, "It helps you lose weight, get fit and have more energy."
Speakers also talked to the students about the other part of the equation: eating more healthy foods.
School leaders say parents and families of the students also need to be on board with the program.
Principal Teresa Price said, "There is a part written into our grant that we will open our doors. We've partnered with local community agencies and we're organizing an after school exercise program for the community. We're very excited about it."
Excited, school leaders say, because it's a chance to help reshape their community and state from being oversized to a healthier place to live.
