History teacher Suzanne Hall finds it harder now to hide from her conscience when its comes to exercise.

Instead of angels on her shoulder, she has students Hillary Sparagna, 16, and Liz Holte, 17, to remind her when it's time to work out.

Twice a week, Sparagna takes Hall, 53, from her World History I classroom to the high school weight room.

"If I'm thinking I need to hide or not show up or run late or whatever, I can't do it because she comes for me," Hall said.

"I have to hunt her down," Sparagna said, joking.

They are among 23 students in Atlee High School's all-girls advanced physical education class, the first of its kind in Hanover County and possibly the state, said department chairwoman and class instructor Anne Bullock Melton.

One component of the class is working as personal trainers to 16 teachers, who meet with them before, during or after school.

Biology teacher Karen Trickett, 40, was paired with Christina Fleming, 17, during the first semester of school.

"What I loved about it was the accountability. She made me absolutely accountable because she would come to me each week and we would set up our times. I would feel really bad if I had to cancel on her," Trickett said. "It made me exercise on a regular basis."

Physical education is required through the middle of 10th grade and is offered as an elective after that at Atlee. However, many girls haven't taken it in their junior and senior years because they don't want to be in a class of mostly boys and get left out, Melton said.

Sarah Attanasio, 16, helped recruit students for the class with the pitch that it would be girls-only.

"A lot of the girls don't like doing the same things as the boys. They want to just work out and don't want to play the really rough games or they want to run instead of playing basketball," Attanasio said. "A lot of people took this class because they don't do sports but they still want to stay fit."

Whereas the boys' advanced PE classes are still focused on sports, the girls' class emphasizes physical, spiritual and emotional health for a lifetime.

"Working with their teachers has driven this point home. Once you start a family and a job, why do people let these things fall by the wayside?" Melton said. "I want them to have it more ingrained so they don't let it fall by the wayside."

Since the beginning of the school year, the girls have recorded their body measurements, food intake and physical activity. They spend at least 20 to 30 minutes exercising during class periods. Many say that as a result, they now eat more healthfully and have shed body fat. One student even discovered that she had a thyroid problem, which was confirmed by a physician.

Melton has made physical improvements as well.

"My measurements have gotten a lot better just having to set an example for them," Melton said.

Tomorrow the girls' class will hold a family fitness fair from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the high school at 9414 Atlee Station Road. The event, which they have been organizing with Chickahominy Middle School, is open to the public and will feature activities, food and information.
Contact Melodie N. Martin at (804) 649-6290 or mmartin@timesdispatch.com.