Mars Area

More than $28,000 was raised by elementary and middle school students to benefit the American Heart Association. Elementary students raised $27,572 through the annual Jump Rope for Heart fundraiser.

Top fund-raising classrooms were Chad McCoy’s third grade class, $2,073; Britnee Madigan’s second grade class, $1,610; and Lori Beggs’s fourth grade class, $1,495.

In addition, classes that also brought in high totals were Jennifer McClelland’s third grade class, $1,566; Vicki Stenner’s second grade class, $1,434; Angela Wagner’s second grade class, $1,331; Jaime Bresnei’s third grade class, $1,175; and Pam Summers’ fourth grade class, $1,175.

As part of the fund-raiser, students in second through fourth grades jumped rope during their physical education classes and were asked to collect pledges to benefit the association.

Middle school students raised $1,218.19 through its “Hoops for Heart” event. Students in seventh and eighth grades made donations and wore red to raise awareness about heart diseases and the importance of heart healthy activities.

At the culmination of the event, the school’s seventh and eighth grade boys and girls intramural teams competed in the gymnasium.

And students who donated $1 or more participated in a three-point shootout.