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5th Graders Compete In Regional ‘Olympics’

Fifth graders from Moapa Valley, Moapa, Virgin Valley and Beaver Dam, AZ got competed in the 5th grade Olympics held in Mesquite on Tuesday, April 12.

By Mike Donahue

Moapa Valley Progress

Nearly 500 students from greater Moapa Valley, Virgin Valley and Beaver Dam, AZ, elementary schools competed in a 5th Grade Olympics last week in Mesquite in the first of what organizers hope will be an annual event.

The students, all 5th graders from Ute V. Perkins and Grant M. Bowler schools in Moapa Valley, Beaver Dam Elementary in Arizona and the Virgin Valley Elementary in Mesquite, challenged one another in seven events, 2 square, 4 square, tetherball, hopscotch, champion ball, a running relay and a cup stacking relay, according to Pam Bundy, physical education (PE) specialist at Perkins.

“It was a great all day and incredibly fun event,” Bundy said. “Virgin Valley was the big winner but every school did well. Everyone had a little bit of a handicap so the students were competing more or less on an even par.”

Denise Hoy, PE specialist at Bowler, said the students really seemed to appreciate being able to compete against one another.

“They had a great time competing, meeting kids from other schools and trying their best while still having good sportsmanship,” Hoy said. “I was impressed to see the students having such a good time and trying so hard to succeed. They also loved watching their classmates compete and were cheering for our school during the finals.”

Bundy said the great success of the Olympics was primarily due to the efforts of Virgin Valley PE teacher Leon Durbin and his assistant Nicole Burton.

“They really did a lot of extra work to make this a wonderful event,” Bundy said.

She said a side benefit to the competition was the opportunity the 5th graders had to meet one another.

“Virgin Valley and Perkins students have been pen pals via computers this year and the Olympics gave them a chance to meet each other and put a face to the emails they had been writing and receiving,” Bundy said.

Student comments reported by Hoy reflect their enthusiasm.

“I liked the 5th grade Olympics because it was fun, cool, and the kids were good sports,” said Zackary who is in Mrs. Jenkins’ class.

“The 5th grade Olympics was very fun. They push you to do things you couldn’t have done by yourself,” said Nikki from Mrs. Jenkins’ class.

“I liked Champion Ball the most because I got a gold medal,” said Gavin, from Mrs. Hall’s class.

“I thought the 5th grade Olympics was so much fun. I learned so much more than I already knew. I enjoyed the Olympics a lot even though I didn’t win,” said Macy, in Mrs. Jenkins’ class.

“When I was in 2nd grade I dreamed of going to the Olympics and that dream finally came true at the 5th grade Olympics. I loved it,” said Alexis, from Mrs. DeLaFrance’s class.

“You’ve got to want it, to win it. If you are going to advance, you have to have faith in yourself. We played sports such as tetherball, Spartacus and other fun activities. You had to learn to have fun while pushing yourself to the limit. The 5th grade Olympics was a fun and new experience,” Shelbi, from Mrs. Jenkins’ class, said.

“As you can see, the students learned many lessons other than how to play certain sports,” Hoy said. “It turned out to be a good experience for all of us and I look forward to next year’s 5th grade Olympics.”

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