Jack Setzer
SJHS Staff Writer

Some would say that Springville Junior High has been a very lucky school for 10 years straight. They would be referring to the fact that the boys’ PE coach, Michael Parker, has been instructing students for 10 years at Springville Junior High. “I hate grading, so PE seems the spot for me!” said Coach Parker. According to Coach Parker, he received a minor in PE which let him teach, even though his Bachelor’s degree is in Geology.

Throughout the semester, students play a variety of sports in boys’ PE. Eighth-grade student Tyler Condie’s favorite sport played in boys’ PE is volleyball. “It’s a fun and easy game that anyone can get,” said Tyler. “And it’s easy rules, so [there are] no mistakes.” Another eighth-grade student, Jay Biesinger, said that his favorite PE sport is pickleball. “It’s like tennis, except with a wooden paddle and a wiffleball,” said Jay.

“[Coach Parker] does a good job of letting us play, and not so much talking!” said Max Schreiner, an eighth-grade boys PE student.

Junior High is a place where if you don’t like sports then you have come to the wrong school. Springville Junior High has many offers sports during intramurals like badminton for the next two weeks, indoor soccer, volleyball, weightlifting, pickle ball, and power lifting.

You might be thinking what kind of grades do I have to have to get on a team? “You don’t have to have the best grades,” Mr. Parker, the P.E teacher,said, “Everyone is invited to come and have fun!” Even the teachers play with the students after school in small teams just for the fun of it.

There are no fees for intramurals. Students can get credit for P.E absences by going to intramurals. So if you like sports then you have come to the right school.

The physical education classes at SJHS are introducing new ways to stay active. Boys in Mr. Michael Parker’s PE classes learned how to snowshoe last week. One of the main purposes of physical education classes, according to the Utah State Core Curriculum, is that “Students begin to see the relationship between proper nutritional choices and physical activity for the maintenance of a lifelong healthy lifestyle.” Coach Parker hopes that his students will be active for life, and explained that snowshoeing “adds variety and is fun!”

As the last bell rings announcing the end of school, students from all grades jump from their seats, grab their stuff, and book it to intramurals. After-school intramurals is a program offered to all students in the school and can also be used to make up absences from P.E. Intramurals give students a chance to come have fun and get healthy.

Intramurals are held after school on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 2:45 to 3:45. Mr. Hansen is currently running weight lifting intramurals. This will continue throughout the year. Mr. Hatfield will be coaching martial arts intramurals soon. Coach Parker is usually in charge of badminton. He also sponsors the intramural tournaments held in Payson, Spanish Fork, or Mapleton.

“Intramurals are really fun, and they’re also a good way to get into sports and stay active,” eighth grader Abi Santiago says. “They are a blast,” Coach Parker agrees, “You can come to play with friends, compete, and have a great time staying active.” So if you’re looking for a way to stay fit and have fun, go to after-school intramurals!