Club members jump at record

Joining in a national effort, 227 members of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Nevada in Carson City did jumping jacks for two minutes Monday in an attempt to set the Guinness World Record.

Justin McKee didn't hesitate when he heard about the plan.

"I wanted to get in the world record book because then I'd be famous," he said. "It was super fun."

The event was part of National Boys & Girls Club Week, focusing on healthy lifestyles, academic success, character and citizenship.

The participation came as a surprise to unit director Michael-Ann Lazzarino, who coordinated the activity.

"We thought we'd get 50 to 100," she said. "We totally topped that."

At clubs across America, members all jumped at the same time and for the same amount of time, which turned out to be somewhat of a challenge.

"It was hard," said Mackenzie Malone, 10. "My legs were, like, numb after I'd been doing it for a minute."

But the support of their peers kept them going.

"We could just look around and see everybody doing it," said Hailey Palotas, 11.

Kane Wallace, 10, was eager for the opportunity to put into play the club's mission of achieving healthier lifestyles.

"I just like jumping, actually," he said. "You get a lot of exercise, so you're more healthy and it makes you not lazy."

In honor of Boys & Girls Club Week, each day will have a specific theme. Today is pajama day, Thursday will be crazy hat day and Friday will be club colors day.

"It's been going really good," Lazzarino said. "The kids have been really excited - I think they're mostly excited to wear their pajamas."

Duy Nguyen, 13, hopes all the attention will be greater awareness of what the club has to offer.

"We just wanted to support the Boys & Girls Club so everybody would notice and more people would come here," he said. "There's good staff here and they treat you very good."