KANSAS CITY, Mo. –
Over two weeks of high-energy teamwork, mentorship, and competition, the U.S. Army Fitness Challenge reached more than 1,800 students across six Kansas City Battalion area high schools. Organized by the U.S. Army Recruiting Battalion – Kansas City, the events emphasized discipline, leadership, and service while generating over 600 age-qualified leads and multiple follow-up appointments.
Engaging Format, Lasting Impact
At each school, Army recruiters and BRAINBOX personnel transformed gyms and fields into fitness arenas. Students, divided into teams by teachers, rotated through three relay-style events:
- Wheelbarrow/Buddy Carry Relay
- Modified Sprint-Carry Relay
- Cross-Functional Fitness Relay
A fourth station, featuring a deadlift bar, sparked spontaneous competitions and recruiter-led conversations about Army careers and benefits.
Highlights from Each School
At Olathe Northwest, Staff Sgt. Boone motivated students with a championship belt for top-performing teams, sparking interest through stories about his time on the Army wrestling team.
At Park Hill, the “Trojan Challenge” featured student-nominated deadlift competitions cheered on by classmates. Sgt. 1st Class Vaughn used the extended class periods to lead workouts and share his Army experiences.
Lafayette High School had high participation and strong recruiter-student engagement. Staff Sgt. Volz and team answered dozens of questions, resulting in three appointments by day’s end.
Week two brought equal energy. At Shawnee Mission West, 142 students participated, generating 74 leads. Paola High School students responded enthusiastically to guidance from Staff Sgts. Tucker and Schanus, with teachers praising the motivational tone of the event.
Marquette High School’s event on the turf field capped the challenge. The deadlift station once again drew crowds, with top performers receiving Army T-shirts. PE teacher Mrs. Durst praised the event as the perfect end-of-year activity.
Strong Soldier-Teacher Partnerships
Recruiters worked closely with educators to motivate students and reinforce teamwork. Soldiers — including Sgts. Vaughn, Tucker, Volz, Boone, and Sotelo — served as mentors throughout.
“This is such a great opportunity for us to meet some of the teachers we might not otherwise get to interact with,” said Staff Sgt. Sotelo at Lafayette.
Teachers echoed the event’s value:
“My students love competition. I knew they’d enjoy this. Please come back next year,” said Col. Jacksy, Lafayette AFJROTC.
“I’ve never seen my students this eager to exercise,” added Coach Gretchen, Park Hill.
By the Numbers:
- Student contacts: 1,827
- Contacts with consent: 1,496
- Age-qualified leads (AQLs): 602
- AQLs with consent: 525
- Appointments made: 11
More than just stats, the Army Fitness Challenge built rapport, sparked conversations, and highlighted Army values. As schools look ahead, one thing is clear:
The Army Fitness Challenge isn’t just a workout — it’s a gateway to opportunity.