FORT BRAGG, N.C. - Despite the 90-degree temperature and thick humidity, the students of Fort Bragg's Butner Elementary School took to the fields for a fun day of sports play.
The school sponsored its annual Sports Day, which included numerous sporting events that provided the students with a day of fostering friendly competition, teamwork and communication skills.
Some of the events included the three-legged race, the sack race, the team walker, the balancing cups, a tricycle relay, basketball, the softball toss and what seemed to be everyone's favorite- the giant soccer ball.
The classes were separated by their grades and each teacher was responsible for directing his or her class through each circuit.
According to some of the teachers, the event provided a day of learning and fun.
"I think it was an excellent event," said Cynthia Chisholm, third grade teacher. "These (competitive) events require teamwork, skill-building and communication. They're having a good time and it also includes physical fitness."
Eight-year old Alyssa Lopez competed in the team walker event for Chisholm's class. She said she enjoyed learning how to do the event and competing with her classmates.
"It was fun, because everyone was like, 'I don't know how to do it'," she said. "But all you had to do was move and tell your teammate when you were moving your foot."
Lopez, who will be a fourth grader next year, said she plans to participate in the event next year.
"I'm looking forward to the fourth grade because they get to have three fun days like this," she explained.
Of all the events that took place during Butner Elementary School's Sports Day, the giant soccer ball appeared to be the most memorable for the students who participated.
"The big soccer ball was the most fun because it was big and bouncy," explained eight-year old Raven Evans, who is a member of Cindy Clark's second grade class. "We only pushed the ball instead of kicking it because it was so big."
The kids seemed to get the biggest thrill from the fact that it was easy for them to fall over the three-foot tall ball and not be injured. Instead of a soccer game, the event became a tug-of-war, of sorts for those who participated.
"I liked the soccer ball too, even though I fell over it," explained Evan's classmate, Katie Teague, who stood alongside fellow class mate Craig Williamson.
"It was like playing real soccer, but I fell over the ball. It was gigantic," Williamson said.
In an attempt to beat the heat, the school provided numerous water points and a military water container to keep the students hydrated during the day. Teachers also urged their students to drink water often.
Social Sharing