MINGO JUNCTION — Ohio Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel is traveling to schools throughout Ohio to launch his new fitness challenge and will make a stop at Indian Creek Middle School to discuss the initiative.

Tressel will appear at an assembly in the school gym at 9 a.m. Tuesday, where he will be joined by former Ohio State University and professional football player Ted Ginn Jr. to talk to fifth- to eighth-graders about the challenge. According to the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce website, the challenge is aimed at students in grades four through eight and is designed to promote student wellness, boost energy levels and build a stronger sense of community through friendly competition and individual goal setting. The goal is to help middle-school-aged children create healthy habits for life through three major pillars: fitness, nutrition and sleep.

Tony Gault, event coordinator for the lieutenant governor, said the middle school was the only local school on the list and leaders were traveling across the state to Cincinnati, Columbus, Cleveland, Youngstown and Ironton.

“He will talk to students about the fitness program rollout at the assembly and student volunteers will do activities with the athletes to get the kids excited about the challenge,” Gault added.

The itinerary will open with comments from school leaders, followed by a highlight video featuring Tressel and Ginn. The lieutenant governor will then speak to the pupils and share a program overview, while he, Ginn and athletes will show students a selection of fitness challenge exercises and close by discussing goal setting for self-improvement.

ICMS Assistant Principal Todd Herman was excited about the visit, saying it would inspire the students to make healthy choices.

“They are having a physical fitness challenge, and this is a kickoff,” Herman added. “They wanted schools to participate, and we responded that we would do that. He is going to schools around the state to get kids motivated.”

The challenge should start this fall and Herman noted that ICMS has worked on similar ways to promote activity, such as prolonged recess to help the kids burn energy when they take a break from the classroom.

“I think it’s going to be exciting to have Tressel here and to get the kids involved,” Herman concluded. “We’re always trying to prioritize student wellness.”