It was a bright sunny day for Nelson’s own Olympic event that saw South Nelson elementary school students getting into the spirit, stuffies in tow.
Each student brought a little stuffed friend to school Wednesday morning decked out in Olympic-inspired gear.
In the afternoon, the entire school got involved in the team-building exercise that featured nine events such as bobsledding, hockey, figure skating and slope style skiing organized by the Grade 4/5 class.
“There’s a great energy in the school right now,” said the organizing teacher. “Everyone is enjoying getting into the Olympic spirit.”
Children, likely with a little help from the big kids/parents, put a lot of effort and creativity into outfitting the chosen stuffy with Olympic-style gear. A cut out pop bottle mounted on cardboard skis, a shoebox mounted on a skateboard and even little tinfoil skates were some of the creations that graced the Olympic stage. Some were beautifully decorated for team spirit. Overall, duct tape seemed a common building supply.
Sophie Harris seemed to be enjoying the warm and sunny day outside with her team dubbed the “Glitter People.” Their float-style stuffy carrier was one of the bigger competing creations. Turning their design into reality was as much fun as the event, she said.
“We used up all the glitter in the art room,” Harris said slyly.
Most students preferred the events that had them sending their stuffed friends downhill. But some stuffies refused to stay on course — some abandoning their mechanics altogether instead choosing to tumble down the hill. But no one was disqualified. In fact, the more spectacular the bail, the more the children cheered.