Alexis Estes’ 5th Grade Class Takes Home the Hy-Vee Kids Fit Challenge Victory

For Alexis Estes, a 5th-grade teacher at Sawyer Elementary with a passion for fitness and inspiring her students, the decision to participate in this year’s Hy-Vee Kids Fit Challenge came naturally. “I love fitness, I love encouraging others to have fun while moving, and it gave our class an opportunity to work toward a common goal,” Estes shared. 

Little did she know that this journey would lead to a defining moment for her class—a victory that would inspire them and their community.

The journey began with a spark of enthusiasm carefully ignited by Estes. She introduced the idea to her students with excitement, holding off on the details to build anticipation. “I told the students we were entering a competition against other classes of all age groups,” Estes explained. “They didn’t know what the challenge was yet, but they were already eager, some excited and others a bit nervous.”

Then came the big reveal: they would be tracking how many minutes they moved each day for five days. Estes sweetened the deal by sharing the prizes they could win—swag, snacks, an assembly, NFL tickets, and a guaranteed prize just for participating. The students were hooked.

Their motivation only grew when they set individual goals: 60 minutes of movement outside of school each day. “I gave them movement breaks,” Estes added. “They even decided to extend the challenge to two weeks, including weekends, because they really wanted to win.”

Preparation for the challenge went beyond tracking minutes. Estes created an environment where movement and camaraderie were celebrated. Students approached the challenge with boundless energy, even embracing math problems with newfound enthusiasm as they calculated their collective movement totals.

Their dedication paid off. Over five days, the class racked up more than 10,000 minutes of physical activity. From soccer practices and family hikes to playing outside with friends, each student pushed themselves to contribute to the class goal. “Each student’s drive to compete and better themselves, coupled with their pride and sense of accomplishment, absolutely contributed to our success,” Estes said.

The Hy-Vee Kids Fit Challenge wasn’t just a fitness competition; it was a masterclass in life skills. Students learned about the value of teamwork, perseverance, and the joy of achieving a shared goal.

Teamwork was at the heart of their victory. Many students already had experience with collaboration through extracurricular activities, but this challenge took their teamwork to new heights. They encouraged one another, celebrated milestones, and stepped out of their comfort zones to try new activities.

“They understood that by doing their part, they were contributing to the whole,” Estes noted. Family involvement also played a critical role, with parents cheering their children on and even joining them in activities. “Thank you to the families and students for the incredible teamwork displayed!”

There were moments when students truly shone as leaders. Whether helping a peer find a fun way to exercise or rallying the class with encouragement, each student found their role within the team. These moments weren’t just about winning—they were about building confidence, camaraderie, and a shared sense of purpose.

“They learned that no matter how different we may seem, teamwork brings us together,” Estes said. “Students showed perseverance every day, whether they were at soccer practice, walking their dog, or playing outside with friends.”

The long-awaited moment of victory came with an email from Hy-Vee Kids Fit Challenge. Estes couldn’t resist adding a bit of suspense. Pretending to give test instructions, she instead began reading the congratulatory letter announcing their win.

At first, the students were confused, but as the words sank in, the room erupted in joy. “There were jumps for joy, hugs, laughs, smiles, and even a few tears of happiness,” Estes recalled. “Students were ecstatic and proud of their hard work paying off.”

Their reward? The opportunity to perform at the Iowa State University Men’s Basketball game halftime show. For Estes’ 5th graders, this wasn’t just a chance to celebrate their victory—it was an opportunity to step out of their comfort zones once more, this time in front of thousands of fans.

Winning the Hy-Vee Kids Fit Challenge was more than just a trophy or a halftime performance. It was a reminder that fitness can be fun, that challenges can unite us, and that every small step contributes to something greater.

For Estes, this journey exemplifies why she teaches. “Watching my students come together, grow, and achieve something incredible is the greatest reward,” she shared.