RALEIGH — Students at Washington Elementary School and some local lawmakers showed off their rope-jumping skills today to call attention to a program aimed at encouraging life-long wellness.

The school's jump rope club is part of the CREATE program, which includes climbing, running, and other activities to equip students for a lifetime of good physical health.

State Reps. Grier Martin and Deborah Ross were among the most enthusiastic rope-jumpers. They were among a number of officials who visited the school to help publicize the CREATE program.

"That is harder than several workouts I have had in the Army," Martin said. "It is a good, good workout. ... I expect my legs to be sore tomorrow."

Martin's jump-roping skills impressed third grader Bowen Beaty, 9. "He is pretty good for an elected official," Bowen said, "because usually they just sit around and make laws."

More than 50 students participated in the event.

"It was fantastic," Ross said. "The best part was how much fun the kids were having getting good exercise.

"If you start exercising at a young age you are going to have a healthy lifestyle for the rest of your lives."

Washington, a magnet school emphasizing gifted and talented education, was one of 15 schools to receive three-year, $30,000 grants from the John Rex Endowment. The endowment provides a total of $450,000 in grants for the program.

Other funding came from the American Heart Association, Poe Center for Health Education, Raleigh Parks and Recreation, A Step to Gold International Ballroom, Shaw University Department of Allied Health Professions and Wake public schools.