Southern Maine Student set Jumping Guinness World Record

Records are made to be broken and a Guinness World Record was likely shattered thanks to the help of children and teens across Maine.  On March 22, 60 kids at the South Portland Clubhouse joined their peers across the state and country - more than 800 Boys & Girls Clubs in all - to break the Guinness World Record for the most people doing "jumping jacks" – or "star jumps".  

Conducted through Boys & Girls Clubs of America's Triple Play program, with support from founding sponsor Coca-Cola and the Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation, the World Record attempt is a part of the Clubs' ongoing efforts to encourage kids to eat healthier, become more physically active and increase their ability to engage in healthy relationships.

"We are so proud of all the kids and families who took part in this historic event," said Jen Pierce, Unit Director, Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Maine.  "By jumping their way into history, they proved that you don't need equipment or a gym membership to get active and be healthy.  Fitness can start with something as simple as a jumping jack."

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 the record has been broken.

"Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Maine is committed to improving health in our communities and is proud to help bring the Triple Play program to Boys & Girls Clubs throughout our state," said Jeffrey Holmstrom, D.O., medical director at Anthem. "By helping our kids learn healthy habits at a young age, we can give them the tools they need to live their healthiest, longest lives possible, and maybe even break some records along the way."  Dr. Holmstrom and Slugger from the Portland Sea Dogs were on hand at the South Portland Clubhouse during the world record attempt.

"Coca-Cola is proud to support the Triple Play initiative in partnership with the Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation," said Quinton Martin, vice president, community marketing. "Research shows that this program is working – Triple Play is succeeding in getting kids to exercise more, eat a variety of foods and feel good about themselves. We are committed to promoting programs that help children, teens and adults live active, healthy lifestyles."

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.

Southern Maine Student set Jumping Guinness World Record 2011 Video

Indian Bollywood Dancer set Guinness World Record

More than 200 budding dancers braved the weather in Trafalgar Square to break a world record for Bollywood dancing.

The five-minute routine had people of all ages and backgrounds dancing to classic Indian show song Om Shanti Om. The 212 people who took part earned themselves a place in the Guinness Book of Records.

The event was part of a dance-themed festival organised by BBC Blast, which caters for teenagers and young adults.

Hosted by Strictly Come Dancing's Erin Boag, it encouraged young people to break several world records including largest number of football freestyle tricks in one minute and largest number of street dance moves in 60 seconds.

As Boag announced they'd broken the record the heavens opened and sent people dashing for cover. Organisers admitted the weather had put many people off, with attendance down on the 10,000 who took part last year, but said they were hopeful of breaking all the records.

Strictly judge Bruno Tonioli was taking part in a question-and-answer session with young dance hopefuls.

Afterwards he said: "It's a great event. It's wonderful to inspire people to dance in their own way. It shows people the wide range of dancing that's available, how easy it is and how accessible it is. It also keeps you fit, you're having a good time and it increases your social skills."

He said he knew nothing about rumours that Zara Phillips would be among the contestants on the next series of Strictly. But he said: "It would be great to have her on the show."

Longest Break Dance Hand Wave World Record

Prescott High School could soon find itself in the Guinness Book of World Records.
According to official judges Prescott Councilwoman Mary Ann Suttles and United Way Executive Director Tammy Linn, the PHS students and staff members successfully completed the longest continuous break-dance hand wave.

The students and staff, including Principal Totsy McCraley and Superintendent Kevin Kapp, gathered on the football field Tuesday in an attempt to set the Guinness World Record.

"What a great thing to do in Prescott in the spring," said Kapp.

English teacher Jennifer Walker said the goal was to break the current record of 795 people.

"Our target is 1,400 to 1,500 people doing the wave," Walker said.

The unofficial count was 1,359 people, a little short of the goal, but still enough to smash the old record by 564.

PHS Sophomore Ashley Heuer, a member of the world record organizing team, said the attempt "is exciting. There are a lot of kids, more than I thought would be here."

Suttles and Linn watched as the break-dance wave made its way through 16 serpentine rows of participants.

The judges kept a close eye as the wave made the turn at the end of each of the rows and made its way to the next turn.

After the wave made its way from beginning to end, Suttles and Linn gave their official ruling: success. None of the 1,359 participants let go of their neighbors' hands.

Suttles said the effort was "wave fun. This is the first time I have been asked to be a judge for an effort to set a Guinness World Record. Everything has to be done correctly."

Linn said the world record attempt was an "exciting event. It shows that when people work together they can break records and do anything."

Walker said the idea to try to break a world record came after one of her English students read the Guinness Book of World Records.

The students talked about what record they could break and eventually decided on the break-dance wave record.

Members of the PHS Parent, Teacher, Student Association helped gather the signatures of every student, adult and staff member on the football field.

"I think this is one of those events that the students will look back on in 20 years and remember," McCraley said. "I am ecstatic to see how many kids and staff members participated."

Walker will submit all the paperwork, including the judges' official letters and the signature sheets, to Guinness World Records. She said the organization takes about six weeks to respond.

With this successful effort, Walker is already looking forward to next year, when "the senior class will try to set a new world record for 'head, shoulders, knees and toes,'" she said.

Source : dcourier.com