As the world gears up for this summer’s London 2012 Olympics, elementary students in Bellevue are getting their own dose of Olympic spirit. On Wednesday, June 13, students at Bennett Elementary kicked off the Olympic season with the opening ceremony of the “Bennett Olympics.”
Emceed by Principal Nicole Hemworth, the end of the year assembly, which took place of the school’s track, comes in advance of the school’s annual field day next week.
In true Olympic fashion, the ceremony opened with the introduction of nations, featuring the entrance of 22 classes representing 22 different countries around the globe. The festivities also included a performance of the “Star-Spangled Banner” by Bennett Elementary’s choir, the passing of the Olympic torch and words of inspiration from a handful of former Olympians.
Former Bennett Bulldog, Brad Barquist, read aloud the official Olympic athlete’s oath before speaking to an attentive crowd of students about what it takes to be an Olympic champion.
“My dreams literally started on this playground,” Barquist said.
A graduate of Interlake High School and former University of Michigan track star, Barquist went on to become a member of the 1996 US Olympic Track Team.
Other special guests included World Champion coxswain Anna Fowler, and Championship soccer player Kelly Weadock. Fowler was a coxswain for the University of Washington Men’s Rowing Team which won the Pac 10 Championship during her sophomore year in college; she also competed internationally in the 1992 Master’s World Championship in Cologne, Germany, winning 5 gold medals, and has coxed boats from the UK, Australia and Norway. Among other accolades, Weadock was a member of the gold-medal winning 1987 U.S. Men’s Soccer Team.
Organized by Bennett Elementary School teacher Wendy Schol, the opening ceremonies featured 22 “countries,” 420 student athletes, and all the pomp and circumstance of the official event. Each class at Bennett Elementary represented a different country at this year’s assembly, and have been learning about said country since February. In addition to promoting unity, friendship, goodwill and fairplay, Schol hopes the ceremony serves as a catalyst for students to chase their dreams.
“When the Olympics start, [the students] will be more personally connected, and have more of a historical background [of the Games],” Schol said.
Next week’s field day will include 32 Olympic-inspired events including a 50-meter dash, baseball games and NERF archery.
“We’re trying to bring it down to [the elementary] level and make it fun,” Schol said.
