Program for EPISD students exercises the body, the mind

EL PASO, Texas -- What started out as an after school program at one EPISD school is growing to other schools.

Thanks to a grant from the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA), Raise Up the Bar, will now be able to get more EPISD students active.

Raise Up the Bar was founded several years ago at Ross Middle School. It's now an elective for students there and will soon become an elective at other DoDEA campuses including Nolan Richardson Middle School. Founder Bobby Macias said about 400 students participate.

"It incorporates fitness, sports-specific training, and shows kids a variety of ways to get fit, active, healthy, and well," Macias said.

The program also incorporates sign language since Ross Middle is also home to the Regional Day School Program for the Deaf.

Raise Up the Bar not only keeps kids active physically but mentally too. The program is all inclusive and pushes students to be the best that they can be and push their classmates too.

"It's awesome because you see when kids are wanting to give up or they're tired (the kids say) 'come on, you can do it,' and it's about preaching love and being motivating to others. That's what we want to instill in our next generation.

To learn more about Raise Up the Bar, click here.