Trivium Prep Hosts Staff Field Day with Olympic-Themed Fun

Trivium Prep August 5, 2024 -

In a gold-medal effort to inject some fun into their training sessions, Trivium Prep’s staff recently went for the gold with a unique “Staff Field Day.” This high-spirited event, crafted by Kindy Wolfley, Assistant Athletic Director and Campus Life Director, aimed to torch the mundane with their own version of the Olympics. “With the actual Olympics taking place, it felt like a podium-perfect time to host our own,” Wolfley shared, passing the baton to a day of lighthearted competition and team bonding.

The event kicked off with an Opening Ceremony, keeping as close to the traditions of the real Olympics as much as possible, where the staff was welcomed with ceremonial music. “In the Olympics, everything is spoken in the host country’s language, followed by French to honor the nation that began the Olympics in 1894,” explained Wolfley. “So, we had a new staff member, Mr. Bougie, a native French speaker, repeat all the welcome items in French.”

Music Teacher Curtis Greenberg performed a rendition of the National Anthem, followed by the Parade of Houses, much like the nations in the Olympics. Wolfley said these Houses are composed of students and staff, and the Olympic events provided a fantastic opportunity for the staff to earn points for their respective Houses even before the school year began. Each of the seven Houses consisted of 9 to 13 faculty members. Ian Heisler, a Humane Letters teacher wrote a fun motivational speech to kick off the event and inspired the athletes in their pursuit of greatness in the games.

The ceremonial lighting of the Olympic Cauldron was performed by the longest-tenured staff member, Mr. James Manion, symbolizing the official start of the events. The cauldron remained lit throughout the competition, adding to the authenticity of the experience.

The competition featured eight creative and entertaining events:

• Shot Put – Participants threw beanbags instead of the traditional shot put.
• Boxing – Contestants examined 23 items in a box for 30 seconds and then had to recall and list all the items.
• Javelin Throwing – Pool noodles with PVC pipes inside served as the javelins.
• AZ Olympiad – Teams matched Arizona Olympians to their correct sports.
• Balance Beam – Participants performed five distinct moves on an imaginary balance beam.
• Breakin’ – Each participant showcased a 30-second breakdance or dance routine.
• Paris Olympics Trivia – Teams answered ten trivia questions about the Olympics and the upcoming Paris Games.
• Relay Race – Teams competed in a relay race featuring various movements such as galloping, skipping, hopping, grape-vining, bear-crawling, and running backwards.

High school students from the Knights Spirit Leaders group and Spirit Line led each event, helping each operate smoothly and cheering on the staff along the way.

The top three teams were awarded medals, celebrating their achievements in the day’s events. The bronze medal was awarded to The Steadfast Knights of Ursus, while the silver medal went to The Valiant Knights of Scorpius, with The Honorable Knights of Cervus winning the gold. Each of these teams won a point for their House in for Annual Trivium Cup Competition at the end of the school year. It was a fun event for all, with enthusiastic participation and playful competition. “We have a great staff here at Trivium Prep that knows how to work hard and play hard as well,” said Wolfley. “Go KNIGHTS!”

This Olympic Staff Field Day at Trivium Prep not only provided a break from the rigors of training but also strengthened the friendships and camaraderie among the staff, setting a positive tone for the upcoming school year.

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