“JFK Physical Fitness Statement“

On March 30, 1962, President John F. Kennedy made an important statement on the front lawn of the White House to advocate for the “vigorous life“ through proper physical education in schools and healthy physical activity for Americans young and old. JFK firmly believed that fundamentally, “a country is as strong as its citizens.“ His statement position reflects the ancient Greece philosophy of “a sound mind in a sound body.“ What I found interesting in researching the archival film and written draft was that JFK went “off script“ and essentially spoke from the heart. The editors did not cut out his obvious mistakes; it’s an important example of authentic spoken words deeply felt and honorably supported by the President of the United States of America. During this era, the school JFK referenced as the school to follow for physical education was LaSierra High School in Carmichael, CA under the direction of Coach Stan LeProtti. JFK’s physical fitness statement and LaSierra PE were linked in history. This film is part of the Stan LeProtti Family Archive collection on LaSierra High School Physical Education. I am curating the archive collection for the LeProtti family. For more information on LaSierra High PE including the former and current benefits of classical physical education, please see the award-winning documentary film “The Motivation Factor“ by filmmaker Doug Orchard. I was the PE historian for the film and provided some of the narration. “The Motivation Factor“ -Ron Jones, MS, Historical Kinesiologist, Physical & Health Educator *For more info on Ron and classical PE methods, visit: