Activate partnered with Drewry Mason to create a walking event called “Drewry Mason 500-Race to Fitness”.   A kickoff for the event occurred March 26, 2010 with Dink Gardner, Martinsville Speedway 500 Committee member, as the guest speaker.  He talked about the importance of physical fitness in general and for race car drivers because most children forget that they have to be athlete’s, too, along with their crew members.  Gardner focused on how the decisions students make today will have a direct affect on their future.

Denver Smith and two PHCC students with Arrington Motors brought a car that the children could look in, get in and ask questions about.  Activate provided a 6”X4” track with cars representing each class competing in the competition and pedometers to track their steps.  This was a 2 week event with six classes and approximately 130 students.  First place winners were provided healthy snack packs and juice boxes for a “healthy party”.  Second place winners received ACTIVATE wrist bands and the third place winners received ACTIVATE shoestrings.  

Congratulations to the following fifth grade winners: 1^st place- Aldridge; 2^nd place – Mitchell; 3^rd place- Friedhoff.  Congratulations to the following fourth grade winners: 1^st place- Gradner; 2^nd place- Knott; 3^rd place- McMillian.  

Jennifer Gunter, PE teacher at Drewry Mason,  coordinated the program with Activate and her students.   Gunter randomly selected 5 students from each class on four different days to record steps walked.  The average total of steps from all classes on those days was 30,826 steps!  Way to go Drewry Mason!