Legislators representing Western Washington once again took the steps needed to win the Move It walking challenge presented by Regence Blueshield. Bellevue Sen. Rodney Tom (48th District) walked away with the bronze medal, taking third place for logging 315,201 steps over a six-week period.

The Move It challenge was created by Regence in 2005 as a way for state legislators to lead by example and demonstrate the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. To track the number of steps, Tom rotated running and biking while wearing a pedometer.

Tom’s efforts won $1,500 that he then presented to Ardmore Elementary School to be used by the school for health-related programs or initiatives. Over the six years the senator has spent in Olympia, he has focused many of his efforts on issues surrounding education and health care in Washington state.

Health care is becoming such a huge expense and it’s taking money away from the schools, Tom said, adding that living a healthy lifestyle will benefit everyone in the long run. He encouraged the students to turn off their TVs more often and go outside and play.

The $1,500 donation was awarded in the form of a giant check that was presented to the two fifth-grade classrooms during the school’s annual Multicultural Night event. School principal Angela Dunavant chose the check to be presented at the event because she wanted to give the fifth graders a way to contribute something to the school as they move on to middle school.

Ardmore Elementary is scheduled to be torn down and reconstructed over the course of the next school year. Dunavant would like to see the Move It challenge money go towards adding a new outdoor walking track for the school.

This is the fourth year Tom has been named a Move It challenge winner, raising $5,000 collectively for various schools in the Bellevue School District.

Lindsay Larin can be reached at llarin@reporternewspapers.com or at 425-453-4602.