First-graders from Char Roth's class at Hemingway Elementary School in Ketchum got a slopeside view of the Special Olympics World Winter Games this week, and came away with impressions they couldn't keep to themselves. Students watched Nordic skiing and snowboarding competitions.
"It was pretty incredible," Roth said. "It was so meaningful for all of us."
After returning to school, Roth had the students write down some statements about the competition and the awards ceremonies they witnessed. They'll be using the statements, as well as some drawings they're working on, to produce a book they hope to give to athletes.
Below are the statements, as noted by Roth:
· "We cheered for them and they went faster."—Kate
· "You are so good getting to the finish and it felt like they were all winning."—Sage
· "Athletes rock! They were trying their hardest."—Beck
· "I liked when everyone was yelling for the athletes and when they were happy and smiling."—Sharom
· "I liked when they went fast and kept smiling."—Sylvia
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· "They are all from different places and some were short, tall, skinny and fat."—Will
· "I liked when they went fast and won the race."—Carolina
· "I liked when everyone cheered and said USA and how they sped up when we cheered for them."—Chloe
· "We cheered and clapped for them."—Ben
· "I liked when they went really fast and I hope they all get a trophy."—Nick
· "I liked to hear when everyone was cheering and they started to go faster."—Tia
· "They were awesome and I loved their smiles."—Anabelle
· "I liked when we were cheering really loudly."—Jack
· "I liked when we stopped by to say hi to the Austrian athletes and it reminded me of my grandpa."—Antonia
· "Some people aren't as good as others but everyone is good."—Jake
· "I liked when they were going really fast when we started cheering for them even though they were really tired."—Sage
· "I liked when they went faster when we cheered for them."—Luke
· "I liked it when they went fast when we cheered for them."—Henry
· "I liked it when they went fast at the finish line."—Dylan
