While the skies threatened outside Country Isles Elementary School Tuesday morning, inside the atmosphere was bright and moods upbeat at the official kick off news conference for Get Fit Weston.

Billy Beck asked all the students, parents, teachers and community leaders in the cafeteria at Country Isles Elementary School to stand up, raise their fists in the air and should "Yes!" After the second or third try, the room enthusiastically erupted in unison: "Yes We Can!" The challenge he asked everyone to take on: to Get Fit.

Weston Mayor Eric Hersch backed up his challenge to students by offering $500 in Get Fit scholarships to those needing financial assistance.

Former Miami Dolphin running back Terry Kirby delighted the audience by telling stories about how, as a child, he worked hard to stay physically fit. He encouraged the fifth grade students at Country Isles to do the same. After the official news conference, the students did exactly that, participating in an official workout program led by Andi Crawford of the YMCA of Broward County. The Y's "Y Fit" program is designed to give school students an hour of supervised physical activity after school every day.

Weston Rotary has been the lead organization in creating and promoting the Get Fit Weston Initiative, along with the city of Weston and the Cleveland Clinic Florida. For $20 you can participate in more than 30 exercise programs every week between October 11 and December 12 at the YMCA, Billy Beck III Personal Performance & Training Center and Midtown Athletic Club. Go to www.getfitweston.com for the complete schedule and to register.