Fantastic fitness fans find fun.

It was more than just a run in the sun. Our Tulip Time Scholarship Game kids came to race, putt, spell, swim, kick, play, and say hey to their fellow competitors from all over the country.

More than a few headed home hours later with prizes, scholarships, and big smiles for all the miles they traveled. They learned new spelling words, how to identify trees, the best golf, soccer, and tennis techniques, all about CPR, the President's Challenge to get in shape, and one more thing: Fitness is Fun and Fantastic!

March-ing to Tennis Victory

Who says it takes hours of practice to win at tennis? Hannah March, six, earned a scholarship on her first try in the six-and-under tennis contest.

The instructor showed me how to use the racquet and watch the ball," says Hannah. The tips--which our instructor gave to all the kids--paid off big for Hannah. She played almost all of her shots just right and won a $1,000 scholarship to Ball State University.

Hannah also won her heat of the 200-meter running race. She says she didn't practice for the race. "But I run a lot in P.E." The hardest part of the race? "My brother, Joshua, almost beat me," she says. Joshua is five, and seems to be coming up fast.

Hannah made a good run at the spelling contest, too. She got up to fourth place, finally being eliminated by the tricky word "paint."

The President's Fitness Challenge was a lot of fun. "The hardest parts were the pull-ups and trying to get my chin above the bar without my chin resting on my hands. The easiest parts were doing the sit-ups and the shovel run and when you stretch forward to check your flexibility."

Rein Girl Reigns As Spelling Champ

Cowgirl Lauren Szucs rounded up a wild herd of words to win the six and under division of our Tulip Time spelling contest in April.

Lauren's final word, float, has fooled many a cowpoke who missed that silent a hiding in the sagebrush at the side of the trail. But Lauren knew it was there.

Lauren said practicing with the spelling list helped her get ready for the contest, which earned her a $2,500 scholarship to Hanover College. Yippee!