Records are made to be broken and a Guinness World Record was likely shattered thanks to the help of kids right here in Omaha, Carter Lake and Council Bluffs. On March 22, more than 460 members from all seven Units of Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands joined their peers from more than 1,000 Boys & Girls Clubs across the country to break the Guinness World Record for the most people doing “jumping jacks” – or “star jumps. While the threat of severe weather forced the event to be moved from the Omaha South High School indoors to the South Unit gymnasium, Club members and volunteers still arrived in droves to take part in this special event.

As part of National Boys & Girls Club Week (March 20-26), Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) embarked on this initiative with its Clubs across the country through the organization’s Triple Play program to encourages kids to eat healthier, become more physically active and increase their ability to engage in healthy relationships.

“Healthy habits are so important, especially to our youth. The positive choices they make now can have a great impact on their future,” said Ivan Gilreath, President & CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands. “Our Triple Play program is one tool we use to help them make those choices.”

To break the current record, more than 278 kids needed to complete the attempt. While the official verdict will come from Guinness in a couple of weeks, all indications are that, with roughly 20,000 taking part across the country, the record has already been broken.

Nearly one-third of children and teens in the U.S. are obese or overweight, according to multiple studies. Children and adults can avoid these devastating diseases by adopting and maintaining healthy habits early on. Jumping jacks are called star jumps in some countries, because the arms, legs and head form a five-pointed star. The record is defined as, “the most people star jumping simultaneously at multiple venues for two consecutive minutes,” according to Guinness World Records.

On Wednesday, March 9^th, DaSean Anderson was named Nebraska Youth of the Year before a group of Club dignitaries, state senators, friends and family at a ceremony in Lincoln. Cameron Crockrom, a member of the Offutt AFB Boys & Girls Club, received runner-up honors.

DaSean and Cameron gave their speeches in front of a panel of judges. While the judges deliberated, the two joined members of the Lincoln, Grand Island and Winnebago Clubs at the Nebraska State Capitol to be applauded by members of the Unicam.

Following their time observing Nebraska senators debate current issues, the candidates returned to the Cornhusker Marriott for a luncheon in their honor, where Chancellor Smith (pictured), the 2010 BGCM and NE Youth of the Year served as emcee. After DaSean and Cameron were given the opportunity to speak directly to the group in attendance, Chancellor stepped to the front of the room and announced DaSean the State’s winner.

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DaSean’s next stop is the Regional Youth of the Year Competition in Chicago this July. There she will compete against other state winners from across the Midwest Region for a $10,000 college scholarship and a chance to compete  for the national honor in Washington, DC.

The first BGCM newsletter will start to hit mailboxes and inboxes tomorrow. If you can’t wait that long, click here to download it now.

Ivan Gilreath is the CEO/President of Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands. In his first public message, Ivan discusses his history with the Clubs in Omaha, the need to return to full Club capacity, and the need for community support.

The CEO Video Address is a monthly feature of the BGCM Blog, giving CEO Ivan Gilreath the opportunity to share Club news updates with the Omaha, Carter Lake and Council Bluffs communities.