[Sophia M.]

General Discussion Thread 08.26.2025​

Hey, GrayViners!

Do you remember the Presidential Fitness Test from school? From the sit-ups and mile run to that dreaded pull-up bar (or the shuttle run cones), it felt like a rite of passage. Some kids wore it like a badge of honor… others still get flashbacks just thinking about it!

Did you take the Presidential Fitness Test? What part stands out most in your memory? Was there one event you breezed through—or one that gave you nightmares? Bonus points if you still remember the tricks you used to get through it (like pacing the mile or “cheating” the sit-and-reach ).

Image source: Reddit

I can’t wait to hear your stories—whether you nailed it, barely survived it, or just found creative ways to make it through.

Here’s to schoolyard memories and sore muscles,
Sophia

 

[Cindy k]

When I was told in the 5th grade we were going to be tested for fitness I was worried. I was a classic "tomboy". I played football and baseball. At 11 years old and was practicing baseball with the boys. Durning a pickup game, some coaches arrived with some boys to practice. I was mistaken for a boy and asked if I wanted to be on their team. Of course as soon as the cat was let out of the bag, I could no longer participate. To say I was disappointed was an understatement!

 

[Hazeleyes]

I was good in math. For some reason with algebra I seemed to always forget to write the final step down before the answer and the teacher always deducted points. The funniest time was the day I had an algebra test. I had sun poisoning and it was my second class. On the way to the classroom I lost my eye sight and someone took me to the classroom. The teacher said I just wanted to get out of taking the test. He gave me 3 problems to solve verbally. He said so why is it that verbally you gave me step by step answer but when you write it down you always miss the last step. I said I have no idea but I see it in my mind but it just never gets on paper. I was taken to nurses office and my father picked me up and went to doctor. My sight returned in 15 minutes of me losing it. I had to get zinc oxide cream to put on me for the sun poisoning.