There were lots of cheers for the secretary of education, Gerald Zahorchak, and the secretary of health, Everette James, when they visited Avonworth Middle School on Monday. But when former Steelers Franco Harris and Jeff Hartings were introduced, the cheers were deafening. The dignitaries were visiting the school to recognize it as one of 40 Active Schools in the state.

As an Active School, Avonworth won a $15,000 grant in the fall to improve the physical education program at the middle school, where 310 students attend grades six through eight.

"It's not an accident that we stopped at your school," Mr. Zahorchak said. "You are in a select group of schools on our tour because you perform really well as active citizens in the community, you are active physically and because of your outstanding academic progress."

Under his direction, Mr. Harris and Mr. Hartings led the students in a round of cheers. Each worked with half of the student population in an "MVPA" chant to endorse Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity, the motto of the Active School program.

"We want you to be active now so when you are my age, you will avoid many health issues that could be prevented by a healthy, active lifestyle," Mr. Zahorchak said.

The grant was funded by the state and by the Highmark Foundation. Yvonne Cook of the Highmark Foundation and Mr. James also addressed the students at the rally.

After the brief presentation, students broke into several groups and exercised with the guests, demonstrating new equipment purchased with grant money in an old weight room that has been converted to a cardiovascular center. Sixth-grader Jayelin Cameron, of Ohio Township, was on his 20-minute mark on one of the machines when Mr. Zahorchak complimented him on his efforts.

"This guy just wouldn't quit. I wish I could go like that," Mr. Zahorchak said.

Jayelin said he enjoyed exercising every day. "I want to keep in shape for all of the sports I play," he said. One day he hopes to play professional football, so he thinks this is a good start. "I need to be in good shape, and this helps," he said.

Fellow sixth-graders Jared Malatak, Zach Chandler and Jason Stubbs are members of the Physical Activity + Health + Improve + Thinking Club, or PHIT, an after-school fitness program created as part of the grant. The club is available every day from 2:20 to 3:45 p.m.

"I like to work out with my friends," Jared said. "It is a lot more fun than doing it by myself."

Zach agreed. "It is fun to be in here. It helps us keep stronger and keep in shape for sports," he said.

Mr. Hartings exercised with the students while Mr. Harris talked and signed autographs. "I enjoy being with the children, and this is such an important program. We need to have [the children] realize how important physical activity is," Mr. Harris said.

While the grant is a one-year award, Mr. Zahorchak is hoping schools involved in the project will continue the program on their own, should funding not be available in the future.

"You can see the dedication in this school and with these students. Just look at them," he said nodding his head toward the exercising students. "This is exactly what we were hoping for."

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