Sierra Vista Junior High School is teaming up with the California Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (CAHPERD) and First Lady Michelle Obama to break the Guinness World Record for “The Most People Doing Jumping Jacks in a 24-hour Period.”

The goal of the event is to support physical education and healthy, active living nationwide. The attempt to break the World Record will begin at noon Pacific Daylight Time (PDT) on Tuesday October 11, 2011 and end at noon (PDT) Wednesday October 12, 2011. Sierra Vista students will be jumping for one minute during each physical education period on Oct. 11. Georger Velarde, Sierra Vista PE department chair and board member of CAHRERD is coordinating Sierra Vista’s participation in the event.

More than 150 California schools plan to participate. CAHPERD is also trying to get Californians to perform jumping jacks at specific California landmarks to demonstrate the state’s commitment and dedication to healthy living. Landmark backdrops will include the Golden Gate Bridge and the Hollywood sign.

The First Lady will kick off the event doing jumping jacks at noon (PDT) in Washington D.C. Event participants in all 50 states will follow Obama, each volunteer doing jumping jacks for just one minute. Volunteers from Japan, Hong Kong, Australia, Germany, The Netherlands, Ireland, Trinidad, Bermuda and Puerto Rico will join the nation-wide attempt to break the record.

In order for the jumping jacks to count in the contest, a witness, a supervisor, and two timekeepers must be present and photos must be included in the submission. These records from each site must be mailed to National Geographic Kids where it will be processed.

The event also will feature a tribute to the late Jack LaLanne for whom the popular exercise is named. Participants are encouraged to continue his lifelong healthy and active lifestyle.

Also joining CAHRERD and Obama are Venus Williams, the NBA/WNBA, the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD), National Geographic for Kids, Jamba Juice, the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition, National PTA and physical education and fitness leaders across the world. For more information please visit: www.cahperd.org.