Redfish Elementary students have begun a special relationship with Olympic freestyle skier and ActNow BC ambassador Kristi Richards.
Richards is currently competing in international events on the 2011 World Cup circuit.
The Summerland athlete, who just won bronze in moguls at the 2011 World Championships in Utah, connected with Grade 5 students at Redfish via video conferencing to talk about healthy living, the environment, the importance of setting goals and a reflection on the 2010 Winter Games.
The students expressed their memories of the Games.
Benjamin reminisced, “I remember going to the Paralympics. It was pretty cool to try out the sit ski and sledge hockey. It was inspiring. My favourite memory is watching a sledge hockey game live! I will also always remember the final goal in the men’s hockey game!”
There will be another video-conference with Kristi late February/early March and she will be making an in-person visit to Redfish Elementary this spring when she finishes the season’s competitive events.
A total of nine schools across the province are participating as part of ActNow BC’s athlete ambassador program. All but two schools selected were part of the Ministry of Education’s Spirit School program during the 2010 Olympics.
To become a Spirit School, schools were asked to take the ActNow BC healthy living pledge, which encourages healthy eating and physical activity, and to participate in 2010 Winter Games education programs.
“My goal with the ActNow BC program is to connect with kids and challenge them to reach their true potential in their physical activity and other aspects of their lives,” Richards said: “I challenge myself everyday by creating, challenging, caring, and connecting with others, the world around me, so it is important to give back and hopefully encourage others to strive for their own goals and ambitions.”
Other memories of the Games from Redfish students included:
Ellee: “At first I wasn’t a big fan of the Olympics and then we started watching the games in class and it was exciting and entertaining! I can remember watching the downhill skiing and someone fell and they got back up and kept going. They showed courage and I was excited for them!”
Ronnie: “I felt good to be Canadian and so lucky to have the Olympics in B.C. and I really wanted to support our team.”
Aiden: “I like how Mrs. Blair bought the torch so that everyone could see and hold it. I liked how we got to watch Olympics at school with my friends.”
