Press Releases

MONTEREY, Calif. - March 4, 2008 - Hundreds of jump ropes were swinging the morning of February 28 at Santa Catalina School in Monterey, California, where 277 Lower School students took part in Jump Rope for the Heart. Jump Rope for the Heart is a nationwide event to educate students about the benefits of aerobic exercise and heart health, while raising funds to support the fight against heart disease and stroke.

Before the event, students were given forms and asked to try to raise $50.00 each in pledges, with the goal of raising a total of $10,000 for the American Heart Association (last year the school raised $7,000). All grades in the Santa Catalina Lower School were involved, Pre-K through 8, with older students paired with younger students. The event began at 9:45 AM on the track and field.

The money raised will go to the American Heart Association (AHA) to help with heart and stroke research. Every $15 earns Santa Catalina School a jump rope from the AHA, which Jeff Hrepich, the Lower School Athletic Director, plans to donate to schools without any athletic or physical education equipment.

"The Jump Rope for the Heart event brings the entire Lower School student body and faculty together for a good cause," said Hrepich. "It is a pleasure to see the older students helping the younger students with jumping, turning or just tying a shoe. It really shows we are one big family here at Santa Catalina."

For more information about Santa Catalina School Lower School, please visit www.santacatalina.org. To learn more about the American Heart Association and Jump Rope for the Heart, go to . www.americanheart.org.

### About Santa Catalina School Santa Catalina School is dedicated to the education of young people between the ages of 4-18, giving careful consideration to the individual abilities and potential of each child. The school's mission is to balance intellectual growth with spiritual awareness, creativity with order, and individuality with compassion. Santa Catalina School is enriched by the diversity of socioeconomic, religious, geographic, and cultural backgrounds represented by students and faculty. The Upper School includes boarding students from 14 states and 9 countries. Local students come from not only the Central Coast, but also from cities as far away as Gilroy, King City, Santa Cruz, San Jose and Santa Clara. For more information visit www.santacatalina.org or call 831.655.9300.