The event wasn't boot camp but it sure looked like it when nearly 30 high school students lined up in the gym before the end of the school year to complete 10,000 push-ups, silently counting on their own.

The event was the brainchild of senior Ryan Cerrone.

"It was actually a challenge I found on the Internet to benefit a family. I told a couple of people and the word spread around," he said. "And then the challenge became a fundraiser."

"We're all going to do the last 25 we have to do," said physical education teacher Tim Churetta told the contestants. "Find your shirt and we'll crank out the last 25."

Sophomore Abbie Smith designed the T-shirt commemorating the push-up event and raising the money to be donated. She also completed the challenge.

Those committed to doing either 6,000 or 10,000 push-ups in a single month could purchase a T-shirt and part of the proceeds would be donated.

Cerrone turned to Chris and Bill Hankee with his fundraising idea and they suggested the proceeds to go toward Miles that Matter, a program established by the Krysta Hankee Memorial Fund that provides gas cards to those dealing with transportation costs connected with getting critical medical care.

"Originally we were just doing [the push ups] for personal benefit but it turned out better than I expected," Cerrone said. "It turned out to be something that helped a community member."

Twenty-six students, six teachers and three community members participated, raising $180. The money raised went to "buy gift cards that we'll be giving to Wyatt Newhard's family," Bill Hankee said. "We've given them cash cards before so they could travel to CHOP in Philadelphia where Wyatt was treated for cancer.

"Now they're going to start going to New York for treatment. Transportation costs are expensive."

When he was 3, Wyatt Newhard was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a type of cancer affecting nerve cells. He now attends Weisenberg Elementary School.

"We always want to partner with other groups," said Chris Hankee. "What I love about "[this project] is this is Krysta's school. [Some groups] do things for the community in simple ways.

"It doesn't matter how much they raise. It's just they're doing something for someone else. When kids start doing this type of thing, it gets infectious."

Tragically, Krysta Hankee died soon after she graduated from college.

"What do you do after the loss of a child? Well we started an organization to help others," Bill Hankee explained.

"The thing I love about this project is Ryan did this from the goodness of his heart without fanfare," said high school Principal Aileen Yadush who didn't find out about the challenge until Cerrone asked her for permission to use the gym over lunch.

"It was a small [gesture] but it involved a lot of people."

When Cerrone approached his physical education teacher with the idea for the push up challenge, Churetta jumped on board.

"At first it was just the challenge of us doing it together but it was inspiring just to see everybody buy into this fitness challenge" Churetta said. "That was neat to see."

"Ryan is a phenomenal young man, academically and athletically.

"He went to his friends and advocates of health and fitness and they bought into the challenge. You started to see the trickle down affect."

Math teacher Bob Biese was one of the teachers who took up the challenge.

"I did 400 a day, usually in sets of 100 at a time, four times a day," Biese said. "I wanted to see if I could do it. I'll probably continue to do [them] to augment my rigorous cycling training."

"I did it so that I could say I did it," said sophomore Angela Alden, but she surprised herself. "I was originally going to do the 6,000 push ups but then I decided I'd go for the 10,000.

"My dad said I wouldn't be able to do it, but I did 100 in the morning, some during gym class and some at track with the majority of them at home before bed. My push up form has definitely improved."

Quentin Bernhard learned about the challenge from Churetta and he decided to participate.

"Sometimes I got pretty sore but I got kind of used to it, doing push ups all the time," he said. "It will definitely help keep my endurance up. I definitely notice a difference in chest strength and I'm getting a little more cut since doing the pushups."

"When Ryan first approached us we said, 'Oh boy, an opportunity,'" explained Bill Hankee. "Ryan's dad is my cousin and this isn't the first time he approached us with an idea.

"When he comes up with a good idea he includes others. He understands leadership means service."