Despite a heat wave, the 2023 Valley track-and-field meet for young athletes took place on June 1 at the Ormstown recreation centre’s soccer fields. Ormstown Elementary School’s physical education teacher, Chad Campbell, made special arrangements in anticipation of the 35-degree temperatures: tents were set up along one side of the playing field under a line of shady trees, and there was a water-mist station for students to cool down as well as an ongoing supply of frozen treats.
Approximately 310 students from six elementary schools (Gault, Howick, Heritage, Franklin, Hemmingford, and Ormstown) took part in the meet. They arrived with their school tents in tow, ready to participate in nine events: the 80-metre run, 150-metre run, 600-metre run, high jump, long jump, softball throw, turbo-javelin, and shotput.
The meet “brings all the students together. It’s nice to see students in the school spirit, cheering each other on,” says Campbell. Lots of help was on hand from Kent Erskine, as well as New Frontiers School Board retirees Gerry Carrigan and David Brisebois. They were joined by parent volunteers and staff from all schools involved. “It wouldn’t be possible without everyone’s help” states Campbell.
