Kim Rhode, a six-time Olympic medalist in double trap and skeet shooting, joined nearly 500 Monrovia Unified fourth- and fifth-graders from the District’s five elementary schools for the 12th annual Monrovia Unified Elementary Olympic Games on March 30 at Monrovia High School’s Wildcat Stadium.
Monrovia Unified students, teachers, District administrators and community members joined Rhode in cheering on students throughout the daylong event as they competed in the 100-yard dash, 4x400 relay, softball throws, football punt and jump rope, among other events.
Monrovia Unified students, teachers, District administrators and community members joined Rhode in cheering on students throughout the daylong event as they competed in the 100-yard dash, 4x400 relay, softball throws, football punt and jump rope, among other events.
“This is the future of sports and a good way for me to give back to my community,” said Rhode, a Monrovia resident for the last 13 years. “I wanted all these students to know that nobody’s perfect – it’s about how you look to overcome obstacles and achieve your dreams.”
Each of Monrovia Unified’s five elementary schools held tryouts to create the teams of 15 boys and 15 girls who competed in the track and field events.
While their track and field teams competed, students in the audience danced with the California Dance Institute and jumped rope for the American Heart Association. About 100 Monrovia High School students judged event participants and mentored their younger peers throughout the day.
Each of Monrovia Unified’s five elementary schools held tryouts to create the teams of 15 boys and 15 girls who competed in the track and field events.
While their track and field teams competed, students in the audience danced with the California Dance Institute and jumped rope for the American Heart Association. About 100 Monrovia High School students judged event participants and mentored their younger peers throughout the day.
To conclude the ceremonies, Rhode presented the gold medals to the winning students and celebrated with students as Wild Rose Elementary took home the Spirit Stick for showing the most sportsmanship while Monroe Elementary took home the Monrovia Elementary Olympics trophy for scoring the most event points for the first time in 12 years.
“Dana Elliott, fourth-grade teacher and the architect of these games, has created an opportunity for our students to engage in friendly competition,” Monrovia Unified Superintendent Dr. Katherine Thorossian said. “The fact that they listened to a couple of personal stories by an Olympian made the day even more powerful.”
“Dana Elliott, fourth-grade teacher and the architect of these games, has created an opportunity for our students to engage in friendly competition,” Monrovia Unified Superintendent Dr. Katherine Thorossian said. “The fact that they listened to a couple of personal stories by an Olympian made the day even more powerful.”