SSMSE showcases their Olympic spirit
ST. MARYS - On Monday afternoon Rock Street was filled with cheerful students from South St. Marys Street Elementary School as they participated in the Parade of Nations kicking off the school’s Olympic games.
Students, teachers and staff marched from the school to nearby Berwind Park which acted as the backdrop for the opening ceremony. Each class sports their own color t-shirt and represents a different country which they study throughout the year. It is tradition that all kindergarten classes represent the United States.
Each classroom chooses three students to carry the country’s flag and placard reading the name of the nation. A few additional fifth grade students are selected to carry the white Olympic flag featuring the colorful rings and the SSMSE Olympics banner. A welcome new addition to this year’s Olympics is the new preschool class who represented the Olympic mascots.
Parents and family lined the street greeting the students as they waved flags and donned various items representing their assigned country, many of which were whimsical hats.
Once inside Berwind Park each class was announced along with their teacher and the names of the students carrying the flag and placard. They then took their place in the infield, creating a large colorful semi-circle.
The SSMSE choir performed the national anthem to kick off the opening ceremony. This was followed by fourth grade performing the Olympic theme song on recorders. A handful of students gathered around the pitcher’s mound where
they led the students in an upbeat song and dance from the recent World Cup.
Newly appointed