Canyon Charter School students sprinted into Spring Break with the annual Olympics Day held last Friday. Despite the gray skies, the mood was jubilant. An opening ceremony kicked off the event. This year’s theme was sportsmanship. Each class paraded around and shared their colorful banners with such ideas as ‘unity’ and ‘there is no ‘I’ in team.’ According to Principal Carol Henderson, one family actually changed their vacation plans because their children could not think of missing Olympics Day. ‘It was really awesome today,’ she said. ‘The gods were looking out for us because we beat the rain. Once again, the spirit and enthusiasm shone through reflecting our theme of sportsmanship and working as a team.’ After the pep rally, it was time to run. The object is for the children to do their best, while running around the grass field in 10 minute intervals. ‘Let’s Get It Started’ by the Black Eyed Peas and other loud rocking beats blared across the playground to keep the energy level pumping. Three classes participated at the same time on two different tracks. One was 90′ x 40′ for grades K-2 while the other was 120′ x 60′ for grades 3-5. On average, those on the smaller track run nearly 20 laps, while the upperclassmen hit stride at 15. Coach Joey Medaglia worked really hard to train the student body. ‘I had less time to prepare them this year,’ he explained. ‘Olympics Day came along sooner and we lost valuable practice because of all of the rain. The kids gripe about running for time, but that is how they learn what is expected of them at an event like this.’ Everyone got an Olympics Day t-shirt, a No. 1 medal to take home along with a Popsicle and water to cool off. Of course, sometimes the kids got silly with the bottled water. One teacher had to tell her class to stop squirting it over their heads and Medaglia told them to move that action to the field. ‘We had so much fun, but the next day my friend Casey and I were so sore’our necks and backs hurt so much that we could barely walk,’ shared fifth-grader Warner Hiatt. His mom, Debbie, added, ‘They were like two little old men complaining, but they said it was worth the pain.’ Olympics Day is not only about physical fitness. It is also a successful school fundraiser organized by a committee of a dozen parents chaired by Judy Bennett. ‘Olympics Day is always a huge success because the kids really enjoy it,’ she observed. ‘They are out there running their little hearts out. Joey really trains them well and they love the friendly competition.’ Miss Miyake’s kindergarten class brought in the most pledges and won a Jamba Juice Party. Plus the engraved Olympics Day Cup gets to reside in her classroom until next year. The top three pledge earners which have not been determined yet will receive an iPod mini for first place, a Schwin Stingray Scooter for second place and a $75 gift certificate to Broadway Gymnastics for third place. ‘Everybody is a winner for participating,’ Medaglia said. ‘Many of the kids found it within themselves to do better than they ever thought they could. That makes me really proud of them.’
This page is available to subscribers. Click here to sign in or get access.
