It’s About Setting Goals Show Offers Kids ‘Words Of Wisdom’ Amid Flashing Lights, Techno Music, Giant Screens
The scene was a cross between MTV and Nickelodeon: laser lights, giant video screens, relay races to the beat of loud music.
“We’re going to rock your world,” said a dancing emcee in black running shoes. “We’re going to tell you to stay in school, stay off drugs … Pay attention but have lots of fun.”
Nearly 5,000 kids screamed their lungs out Tuesday at the “Healthsouth Go For It! Roadshow” in the Spokane Arena. The event, which features athletes like Olympic gold medalist Dominique Dawes, is expected to attract more than 40,000 students this week from Eastern Washington and North Idaho.
For about an hour, students fixed their eyes on one of 12 screens that showed Bo Jackson, Michael Jordan and other athletes who gave advice on training and achieving goals.
The scenes were called “Words of Wisdom.” Olympic figure skater Kristy Yamaguchi talked about the importance of a balanced diet. Professional wrestler Lex Luger showed them how to lift weights and told them to stay off steroids.
They also were able to see some of the athletes in person.
Surrounded by a swirl of rainbow-colored lights, Dawes and former pro football players Matt Bahr and Steve DeOssie hit the floor to the sound of techno music and the deafening applause of the crowd.
“We’re here to teach you about success, determination and setting goals,” Dawes told the students.
In between advice, the kids participated in “Muscle Busters” and “Brain Drains,” games that required them to use athletic skill and their intellect.
They were divided into two teams: Green Lightning and Purple Thunder. Each group had about 20 members on the floor, where they competed against each other in various relay games. Teachers also participated in “Teacher Torture,” a game on stationary bikes to see which teacher could pedal fastest.
The “Brain Drain” was harder than the Macarena warm-up. Kids answered questions such as, “What exercise develops endurance for the abdominal muscles?” and “What muscles straighten the elbow during push-ups?”
Most of the kids stood up, hands raised with the answers.
“I like (the show), especially the talking about how drugs are bad for you,” said 9-year-old Christopher Ekholm, a third-grader at Valley Elementary in Stevens County. “I like the laser lights.”
The show is sponsored by the Healthsouth Sports Medicine Council, a nonprofit organization affiliated with the Birmingham, Ala.based Healthsouth Corp.
More than 300,000 children have seen the show since its inception two years ago, said Nancy Henderson, the production office manager.
While students seemed to enjoy the show, some teachers are taking a wait-and-see approach.
“It’s flashy, but they are paying attention,” said Liz Krise, a teacher at Logan Elementary. “They’ll take tests later to see if they got something out of it.”
Others simply endorsed the event.
“We came to take a look at people who have accomplished great things in their lives,” said Robert Peck, who teaches math and science at Valley Elementary. “They’re role models … We want kids to make good decisions.”
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