Buc Banter Online News

Lower School Celebrates Olympics XXIII

by Kathy Aiello, Ed. D.
The Benjamin School
3/05/13

The parade of countries circling Kennerly Field accompanied by the marching sounds of the middle school band signaled the start of the 23rd annual Olympics on the Lower/Middle School Campus.       view parade video

Faculty Olympic Day Coordinator Riordan Cheatham welcomed students, faculty, parents, and guests, as well as WOW and PK classes and the middle school student body to the opening ceremonies as fifth grade vocalist Louisa Weed led the audience in the singing of "The National Anthem."  Lower school torchbearers carried the torch across the field for the ceremonial lighting of the Olympic flame to signal the start of the field day celebration. With the announcement of Let the Games Begin, first through fifth graders embarked upon their field day events.
   view National Anthem video 

HIstory of The Benjamin School Olympics
What began in 1990 as an educational endeavor (founded by now retired Head of School Peter Graham and Assistant Director of Athletics Steve Hamel) to learn more about the world in which we live, has grown into an event that takes on the true characteristics of the Olympic spirit, exemplyfying the strength of friendship, solidarity, and fair play. Each classroom in grades one through five adopts a country and explores its customs and culture in detail, including a culinary luncheon hosted in classrooms on the eve of Olympic Day. The Olympic Day celebration is the culmination of a monthlong multicultural study, and a day in which each class represents its country, yielding an athletic event spirited with competition among nations.