Games, athletic contests and other types of public spectacle were a feature of the religious and social life of ancient Greece and Rome . In Greece the games served at first as an element in various religious observances. Some were held in honor of the gods, some as offerings of thanksgiving. Others, in later times, were held in honor of living persons. The Greek games, with their attendant processions, feasts, and music, played an important role in developing the appreciation of physical beauty that is typical of Greek art and literature. The modern Olympic Games began in Athens , Greece , in 1896, two years after French educator and thinker Pierre de Coubertin proposed that the Olympic Games of ancient Greece be revived to promote a more peaceful world. *

     It was with the same spirit that the Nursery Department held its annual Mini-Olympics last January 28, 2005 at the Football Field. Mrs. Alma Yu was the coordinator for this event for this school year. The event started off with the parade of the eight teams, each bearing their official mascots depicted on colorful banners - the Amazing Alligators (Nursery A and 1), Brave Bears (Nursery B and 2), Cool Cats (Nursery C and 3), Daring Dragons (Nursery D and 4), Extraordinary Elephants (Nursery E and 5), Fantastic Foxes (Nursery F and 6), Gliding Gazelles (Nursery G and 7) and Happy Hippos (Nursery H and 8). Each team was comprised of the morning and afternoon session students who for the first time joined forces to compete in the various games.

     Mr. Gani Marcorde, the Nursery Student Custodian, was the torch bearer for this year’s Olympics. He wand Jun Oh Kim of Nursery 6. Dr. John Sy, formerly the Athletics Director of Xavier School and the parent of Juancho of Nursery E led the Athletes’ Prayer. Mr. Ren Ren Ritualo, member of the Federal Express Team of the Philippine Basketball Association led the students in the Oath of Sportsmanship.

     Ms. Maan Estrellado and Ms. Joey Bautista kept the crowd on their feet with their witty and candid emceeing. Ms. Roche Chuacuco and Ms. Trina Velilla took over some of the emceeing chores when Ms. Estrellado and Ms. Bautista had to attend to their teams.

     The Xavier School Soccer Team coached by Mr. Ogie Bautista received much adulation from the Nursery students as they presented an exhibition of their moves and tricks on the field. Their presentation was a great energizer to boost the adrenaline of the students for the different games.

     One of the exciting features of the Mini Olympics was the presentation of cheers by each team. The students with their Class Advisers showed off their dancing prowess as they moved to the tune of popular or familiar music.

     The students participated in three events - Straw in the Bottle Relay, Together in a Garter Relay and the Obstacle Course. All the games were exciting because of the close competition among the teams. The Cool Cats (Nursery C and 3) won in the first and last events, while the Daring Dragons (Nursery D and 4) won in the Together in a Garter Relay.

     However, the biggest reward for this activity was the special awards given to the different teams to acknowledge the support and effort they gave to make the Mini Olympics a successful event:

  Most United Team     - Nursery C and Nursery 3

  Most Cooperative Team   - Nursery F and Nursery 6

  Sportsmanship Award     - Nursery A and Nursery 1

  Best Team Spirit     - Nursery G and Nursery 7

  Most Energetic Team     - Nursery D and Nursery 4

  Most Behaved Team     - Nursery E and Nursery 5

  Happiest Team     - Nursery H and Nursery 8

  Most Organized Team     - Nursery B and Nursery 2

     In her closing remarks, Mrs. Arlene Choo, Assistant Principal for Unit 1, brought us back to the very reason for having the Mini Olympics. She pointed out that based on the objectives of the activity, camaraderie and cooperation among the Nursery morning and afternoon students were promoted; sportsmanship was observed; and healthy lifestyle was encouraged.

     Juanito Dizon of Nursery 4 aptly summed up how everyone felt at the end of the day when he exclaimed “This is the happiest day of my life!” The Greek god Zeus, as well as Pierre de Couberton must have smiled upon the Nursery students as they all marveled at the day’s events and rejoiced at their little triumphs. We hope that the spirit of camaraderie, cooperation and sportsmanship continue to live in the hearts of our Nursery students in their pursuit of a more peaceful world.

*Microsoft® Encarta® Reference Library 2003. © 1993-2002 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

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