Part 2 of 20: 2026–27 Bridge Bedford Teacher Grant Series
What if the first step toward a healthier future was as simple as getting moving? At Community High School, a new initiative aims to help every student discover the benefits of physical activity, build confidence and develop healthy habits that last a lifetime.
Thanks to a $5,000 Bridge Bedford teacher grant, Community High School will launch We Like to Move It, Move It, a program designed to make fitness, strength training, nutrition and overall wellness accessible to all students, not just student-athletes.
Criminal Justice Teacher Chris Hobbs developed the program with a goal of reaching all 487 students enrolled at Community High School, helping each find ways to move, grow stronger and take charge of their health.
“I want every student to understand that you don't have to be a student-athlete to exercise and live a healthy life,” Hobbs said. “My goal is to help students create and maintain an active lifestyle through movement.”
The grant will fund approximately $5,000 in exercise and training equipment, including weight benches, dumbbells, lifting racks and specialized machines for strength training. With this equipment, Hobbs plans to offer students opportunities to explore individualized exercise programs focused on their needs, abilities and personal goals.
Students will participate in activities that develop strength, speed, agility, endurance and mobility while learning about nutrition and the connection between daily choices and long-term health. Through initial and follow-up assessments, participants can track their progress in areas such as strength, heart rate, aerobic fitness and agility. Students who demonstrate improvement will receive certificates recognizing their achievements.
But We Like to Move It, Move It is about more than exercise. Hobbs hopes the program will help students build confidence, improve school engagement and discover positive ways to spend their time outside the classroom.
“Improvement varies from person to person,” Hobbs explained. “What may not appear as a vast improvement to one may be a milestone for another!”
The program is intended to be free and accessible to students, creating opportunities for young people in the Unionville area to participate in physical activity without needing a gym membership or traveling long distances to find fitness resources. Hobbs also hopes to expand the initiative to middle school students and, eventually, elementary students in fourth grade and up through a volunteer-led after-school program.
By recognizing individual progress and celebrating success, Hobbs hopes students will encourage one another to get involved and discover what they can accomplish through movement. He also plans to pursue annual fundraising to maintain the equipment and add new opportunities for students in the years ahead.
At Community High School, the goal is simple: Get moving today. Build healthier tomorrows!
This is part 2 of 20 stories celebrating the 2026–27 Bridge Bedford Teacher Grants, which will support 20 projects across 10 Bedford County Schools. A total of $25,278 was awarded to BCS educators through funds raised at last year's CC5K.
Every grant represents an investment in creative teaching, meaningful learning, and opportunities that reach beyond the classroom. Best of all, students are the ultimate beneficiaries!
Stay tuned as we spotlight the educators, ideas and student opportunities made possible by the CC5K and Bridge Bedford.
