The St. Thomas Aquinas women's basketball team worked with a group of 5th graders to discuss, teach and encourage fitness at Bardonia Elementary School on Friday afternoon.  

The players and coaching staff split up into three groups to work with three different 5th grade classes.  One group was a discussion panel that talked about the importance of exercise, making healthy eating choices and how to balance a busy an active schedule. The second group worked on different exercises including jumprope, hurdles and ladder drills while the final group worked on different basketball skills and games.  

The clinic was encouraged by the 5th grade teachers under the guidance of Alice O'Hara, whom have worked on a fit club program with their students throughout the school year.  The fit club has encouraged time in their day for laps around the school field, leading up to their annual Turkey Trot as well as push-ups and sit-ups.  

"I think it's great that the 5th grade teacher at Bardonia help the kids focus on these important topics.  Our players and staff were very excited to help out and they did a great job being positive role models for these young students," commented head coach Kim Lusk.