St. Olaf students participate in mini-Olympics

Intermountain Catholic

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St. Olaf kindergarten, first, and second grade students participate in an Opening Ceremony and prepare to parade through the school. Each student made his or her own torch, and learned the value of being part of a team.IC photos by Chris Young

BOUNTIFUL — St. Olaf kindergarten, first, and second grade students held a Mini-Olympics Feb. 24, in honor of the 2006 Winter Games in Torino, Italy.

Their Olympics began with an opening ceremony in which each student took the official athletic oath, and then paraded through the school. The students represented 10 countries playing in the Olympic ring challenge of hula hooping, hockey with tennis balls, relay races, bobsledding using lay-down scooters, and cross country skiing using felt under their shoes.

Aimee McNabb, the first grade teacher said, "We tried to emphasize sportsmanship, teamwork, good values and beliefs, the ability to accept wins and losses, and the triumph of doing their best. The students need to work together and be part of a team, not just individuals. As Catholics we learn it takes a community to raise a family, and these games allow them to be part of something that is meaningful."

The first grade students all wrote reports on the countries they were representing and gave them orally to the class. It was a big step for them because it was their first report. They did it for social studies and geography as well as a writing assignment, art and music activities, and exploring the Olympic Games.

These students were all very young when the 2002 Winter Games were played in Utah.