When South Middle School’s (SMS) summer weight program received great student participation, it sparked an idea. Preston McCorkle, SMS math teacher and football coach, lobbied to offer something similar during the school year. High school and athletic administrators immediately got behind the idea.
Before Thanksgiving break, he began a two-nights per week weight and conditioning workout program for seventh and eighth graders at SMS. So far, ninety-seven students signed up with attendance at the sessions averaging 35.
“This is not an athlete-only activity, students not in school sports have joined in too,” explained McCorkle. The program focuses on physical health and how it supports good mental health – important life skills. “It helps with the stress that middle school students can experience. They learn another way to work it out if they have a bad day,” said McCorkle.
It’s also about belonging and connectedness. McCorkle explains, “My goal is to build a positive relationship and be a safe adult for students in middle school and beyond. Interacting with them outside of school builds a stronger relationship.”
The weight and conditioning program operates out of the South High School weight room, Wednesday and Sunday evenings, under McCorkle’s supervision. Seventh graders come from 6:00-7:00 p.m. and eighth graders from 7:00-8:00 p.m.