This year the Junior High is participating in Zamzee to improve students’ health.

According to Junior High counselor, Chantal Seitz, the goal of Zamzee is to provide a fun way to develop a better lifestyle and make beneficial choices.

“Sacred Hearts Academy is the only school involved with the program and has been chosen to pilot this program,” Seitz said.

Zamzee is a small device that is clipped on clothes or shoes. It has a three-axis accelerometer which calculates and measures the time and force of physical activity.

The web site is used to upload activity and track progress. Each movement counts toward earning badges to encourage students to do more physical activity.

“There is not a specific goal for all the Junior High students. Instead, Zamzee helps them create personal goals and produce positive changes for themselves,” Seitz said.

Prizes include Jamba juice cards and online incentives such as more points to pass more levels and the ability to earn more badges.

“Zamzee is an international program in which participants are able to talk to others around the world. It is not limited to a particular place or time. The results of doing this program are becoming more active, having fun, making new friends across the world and develop better spirituality. The best part of doing this program is once someone starts doing it, more and more people will want to do this exciting program,” Seitz said.

“I was already very active when Zamzee came but it helped me move when I was outside sports. My lifestyle did not really change but it worked the most on my younger brother. I came home with it from school one day and he asked what it was and after he really wanted to participate. Often, I saw him using my Zamzee, dancing, running around with my dog, doing a lot of extra stuff that he would not have done normally,” said eighth grader Amanda Kimball.