JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspapers PUTTING MUSCLE INTO IT—Members of Apollo High School's third period weights class, led by teacher Joe Marshall, strike a pose in celebration of the school's first-place prize in the Governor's Fitness Challenge. For exercising more than any other high school in the state that participated in the competition, Apollo won $100,000 toward a new fitness center. On his third day as Apollo High School's principal Dean May got to shake hands with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Talk about getting a running start to a new job.

Apollo senior Erick Guillen, office manager Karen Smith and May were in Sacramento last Wednesday to accept a $100,000 first-place prize in the Governor's Fitness Challenge from Schwarzenegger himself.

Apollo was one of 200 high schools competing for three top prizes—which will go toward construction of new fitness centers. The Eagles had 100 percent participation in the competition, with students and teachers exercising at least three times a week, at least 30 minutes per session, for four weeks outside of PE classes.

"It was really wonderful. We never thought in a million years we'd get the $100,000 fitness center," said Smith, who coordinated the program and made sure students were accurately keeping records of their workouts. "We're so excited about it."

For May, it was a perfect start to the school year.

"It's a nice way to spend a third day on the job," he said. "It was an incredible honor, but the work was done last year with the previous principal, Tracy Rohlfing, and Karen, who was a big part of spearheading the process."

Rohlfing, now the principal at Gateway Community School, gave all the credit to Smith, Apollo's support staff and the students.

"I think it's a great opportunity for our kids to shine like this," she said. "This award is great and now they're going to have such a great fitness facility."

May said the positive attention the school has received is important to Apollo.

"Continuation schools are often labeled as the black sheep and perceived negatively in the community," May said. "This is something very positive and will help change that perception, and let the community know that we have positive and good things going on here. It's not only a good thing for Apollo, but it's a good thing for continuation schools."

Coincidentally or not, Apollo's test scores also dramatically improved. Apollo had the biggest improvement in its Academic Performance Index (API) results this year of any school in Simi Valley Unified School District, improving its score by 74 points, from 501 to 575.

Apollo will likely convert an outdated shower and locker room into a modern fitness center.

Smith said the bidding process has begun on replacing the flooring. The gym will be completely renovated inside before new equipment is installed.

Smith said the local 24Hour Fitness was helpful in accommodating students. The gym offered students free 30day passes. If a student met his fitness goal, the pass was extended for 90 days.

In February, Apollo won a $1,000 prize. In June, the school discovered it was still in the running for either a $5,000 regional award or one of three $100,000 top prizes.

Hazel Strauch Elementary School in Sacramento and Cecil Avenue Middle School in Delano also won $100,000 fitness centers.

Apollo's students are still working to stay fit.

"We've had a lot of students stay with it," Smith said. "They've gotten into the habit of doing this for four or five months and they've kept working out. The whole experience was more than we ever thought we could get out of it."