PHOTO by Mark Andreasen

By Paula Pyzik Scott

Not everyone is ready, willing and able to handle an auditorium full of excited 4th-8th graders. Ohio Lt. Governor Jim Tressel was not only ready, when he appeared at the Ada Schools on Thursday, November 13 to promote the Governor's Healthy Ohio Team Tressel Fitness Challenge, he was determined to turn up the volume.

To begin, Tressel explained that being in Ada is a homecoming for him. His grandparents had a farm here and both of his parents graduated from Ada Schools. His aunt edited the Ada Herald. So while Tressel is visiting schools across the state to talk about the Fitness Challenge, he has a special connection with this community.

The Ada students are part of a Fall 2025 Challenge focused on fitness, healthy eating and good sleep habits. Tressel brought student volunteers on stage to demonstrate exercises such as push-ups and jumping jacks. He had the audience count repetitions in unison and follow his cues very carefully. On their first medium-loud try, he gave them... a C-. They were going to get it right, he said, even if they'd be there all day.

READ MORE at Lt. Gov. Tressel visits Ada Schools for Ohio school fitness challenge