Wallace Elementary Students Find Confidence in New Fitness Initiative

Last week, Wallace Elementary School’s gymnasium was filled with energy and celebration as students, families, and community members gathered to recognize a group of young students completing a new fitness program aimed at building healthier habits and confidence through movement.

The event honored the first cohort of students to finish the Danny’s Fitness4Kids pilot program at Wallace Elementary, marking both a milestone for the students and the official launch of a broader Kern County initiative focused on youth wellness.

For the students, the program centered on movement that felt more like play than exercise, with activities like running, jumping, climbing, and using their own body weight to build strength, coordination, and balance. Along the way, they also learned about the connection between nutrition, energy, and growth. The lessons are designed to leave a lasting impression.

“I loved the windmill, because it’s the most I have learned about exercises,” said Rylee, a fourth-grade student who participated in the program.

The initiative comes as schools continue to see growing concerns around childhood inactivity, increased screen time, and fewer opportunities for regular physical movement. Educators say these trends can make physical activity feel unfamiliar or even intimidating for some students without early positive experiences.

Principal Lisa Burgess said the decision to bring the program to campus was driven by what staff were observing among students in their daily routines.

“We are always looking for meaningful ways to help students feel connected, seen, and valued,” Burgess said. “Danny’s Fitness4Kids aligned perfectly with that vision. It gave students an opportunity to build confidence, form relationships, and discover strengths that may not always surface in a traditional classroom setting.”

Burgess added that the program also helps reach students who may not feel drawn to traditional team sports.

“Not all children naturally gravitate toward athletics, so we wanted to provide an alternative that focuses on personal growth, self-awareness, and individual fitness,” Burgess said.

District leaders say programs like this play an important role in supporting both the physical and emotional well-being of students, while reinforcing lessons that carry into everyday life.

“We are always looking for opportunities to enhance the education of our students — not just mind, but body and soul,” said Steve Martinez, Superintendent of Kernville Union School District. “We are really thankful for this partnership and the opportunity to teach healthy living, healthy eating, and healthy activities.”

The program’s founder, Danny Torgl, said the goal is to create lasting habits early in life while making movement something children enjoy rather than avoid.

“This program is about giving children the opportunity to develop healthy habits early in life while building confidence and enjoying being active,” Torgl said. “We are grateful to the students, sponsors, educators, and community leaders who helped make this pilot program possible and who share our commitment to improving the health of children in Kern County.”

The pilot program is already expanding beyond Wallace Elementary, with 10 students completing the program at the school and dozens more participating across the Kernville Union School District, including 31 students at South Fork Elementary and 23 at South Fork Middle School. Additional students at Kernville Elementary are also taking part in the initiative.

As the program continues to expand, its impact is often most visible outside the classroom.

“When I see students around town who stop me to talk about their experience, I think, ‘Wow, we are making an impact,’” Torgl said.