By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter, nbrockman@the-messenger.com
Hundreds of smiling students ranging in grade levels from kindergarten to graduating seniors raced, chased and merrily roamed the grounds of the Madisonville-North Hopkins Badgett Athletic Complex on Friday during North's Olympic Field Day.
Visiting students from Hanson, Pride, Jesse Stuart and West Broadway Elementaries and Browning Springs and James Madison Middle Schools participated in athletic events that included basketball, putting, tennis, tug of war, softball and many more.
No matter the activity, one theme was common: having a good time.
"The most important thing is for the kids to have fun," Olympic Field Day committee member Tina Peyton said. "These kids look forward to this from the very beginning of the school year. The teachers tell us they come in asking 'When do we go to field day?'"
Jesse Stuart kindergarten teacher Sherri Williams said some of her students rank the day as the most special trip of the year.
"Some of them went on the zoo trip yesterday and they said 'This is better than the zoo,' so it's just an amazing experience for them to get out because this is their day," she said.
Williams' students enjoyed tennis and facepainting as well as the two obstacle courses.
Visiting students from Hanson, Pride, Jesse Stuart and West Broadway Elementaries and Browning Springs and James Madison Middle Schools participated in athletic events that included basketball, putting, tennis, tug of war, softball and many more.
No matter the activity, one theme was common: having a good time.
"The most important thing is for the kids to have fun," Olympic Field Day committee member Tina Peyton said. "These kids look forward to this from the very beginning of the school year. The teachers tell us they come in asking 'When do we go to field day?'"
Jesse Stuart kindergarten teacher Sherri Williams said some of her students rank the day as the most special trip of the year.
"Some of them went on the zoo trip yesterday and they said 'This is better than the zoo,' so it's just an amazing experience for them to get out because this is their day," she said.
Williams' students enjoyed tennis and facepainting as well as the two obstacle courses.
"We like to run and go around the maze on the second, then you win," student Donovan Sharp said. "On the first one, you run and you jump over the little things, then you run, then you go through a tunnel and you run again and you win."
For participating in each event, students received ribbons denoting the station.
Sharp also displayed a couple temporary tattoos he received "at the tattoo store."
Hanson student Kristen Lee also visited the tattoo/facepainting station.
"I got two peace signs and a SpongeBob," she said.
Lee's classmates Nicole Hall and Jasmine Moss said they enjoyed tennis and basketball the most and received direction from the North students.
"They helped me learn how to shoot and kick the ball," Moss said.
In addition to tennis and basketball, the obstacle course proved to be a favorite. At the station, members of the Naval Junior Officer Training Course directed the children.
"I think they do like this because they can actually run and have a little bit of fun," Jordan Hunter said as he helped. "It's actually made for wheelchairs, but the kids like to have fun and run around."
North's Daniel Arnett and Tyler Conover, who also aided in the event, each said their favorite aspect of the day was seeing the kids smile and making them laugh.
At the softball session, Lady Maroon senior catcher Caitlin Todd took the mound and tossed softballs to awaiting batters. Todd, who also works as a peer tutor, said she enjoys working with the children.
"What really means the most to me is that they are human beings and even though they might have some disabilities, they still smile, they still laugh, they still have fun just like we do," she said. "It just means a lot to let them be free and have fun and just feel good about themselves."
As the temperature continued to rise Friday afternoon, event organizers curtailed the activities about 45 minutes short. Not much could spoil the fun each child already had as many sat in the shade and enjoyed ice cream sandwiches while buses arrived to take them back to their respective schools.
For participating in each event, students received ribbons denoting the station.
Sharp also displayed a couple temporary tattoos he received "at the tattoo store."
Hanson student Kristen Lee also visited the tattoo/facepainting station.
"I got two peace signs and a SpongeBob," she said.
Lee's classmates Nicole Hall and Jasmine Moss said they enjoyed tennis and basketball the most and received direction from the North students.
"They helped me learn how to shoot and kick the ball," Moss said.
In addition to tennis and basketball, the obstacle course proved to be a favorite. At the station, members of the Naval Junior Officer Training Course directed the children.
"I think they do like this because they can actually run and have a little bit of fun," Jordan Hunter said as he helped. "It's actually made for wheelchairs, but the kids like to have fun and run around."
North's Daniel Arnett and Tyler Conover, who also aided in the event, each said their favorite aspect of the day was seeing the kids smile and making them laugh.
At the softball session, Lady Maroon senior catcher Caitlin Todd took the mound and tossed softballs to awaiting batters. Todd, who also works as a peer tutor, said she enjoys working with the children.
"What really means the most to me is that they are human beings and even though they might have some disabilities, they still smile, they still laugh, they still have fun just like we do," she said. "It just means a lot to let them be free and have fun and just feel good about themselves."
As the temperature continued to rise Friday afternoon, event organizers curtailed the activities about 45 minutes short. Not much could spoil the fun each child already had as many sat in the shade and enjoyed ice cream sandwiches while buses arrived to take them back to their respective schools.
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