WASILLA, Alaska (KTUU) – Governor Mike Dunleavy, along with fitness guru Jake Steinfeld, dedicated a new fitness center at The Knic Charter School on Monday morning. The school is one of three schools in Alaska and the only one in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough selected to receive $100,000 worth of donated training equipment.
Mears Middle School and Romig Middle School in Anchorage were the other two schools selected for the award by the National Governors Fitness Council Foundation.
The foundation’s mission is to promote healthy living for America’s children through physical activity and exercise through its “DON’T QUIT!” campaign, an effort to place fitness centers in schools in all 50 states. Steinfeld said Alaska is the 47th state to receive the donated gyms.
Nick Charter Principal Tyler Gilligan said the donation is a blessing for the new school, now in its third year of operation.
“We want all K-12 students to have physical education and incorporate that health and wellness into their lives,” Gilligan said, “because if you incorporate it into your life now, it’s going to help you for the rest of your life.”
Knik Charter incorporates Alaska Native and American Indian culture into its curriculum and partners with the Knik Tribe’s STEAM Academy to offer courses in computer programming, construction, drones and self-sufficiency.
Before the new equipment was installed in one of the buildings on campus, the charter school didn’t have its own gym and taught students physical education through outdoor walks and strength training.
Mr Gilligan said the new centre would provide circuit training opportunities for students in years six through 12.
Funding for each center is provided through public-private partnerships with well-known companies such as Coca-Cola, Careon Foundation, Wheels Up and Nike.
Steinfeld said he reached out to Dunleavy and issued a joint press release asking Alaska schools to apply to set up the three new fitness centers, and more than 36 schools applied.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Dunleavy praised Gilligan for seeing an opportunity for the school and running with it.
Steinfeld launched his “DON’T QUIT!” initiative 13 years ago and is set to successfully complete the challenge of setting up fitness centers in all 50 states within the next few months.
Hawaii, Nevada and New York will be the final states to receive the award.
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