MONROVIA, CA – Monroe Elementary fifth-grader Elisha Luckett rounded the last corner of a 400-meter race and launched himself in front of his competitors to take first place for the second consecutive year in the 13th annual Monrovia Elementary Olympic (MEO) Games.

Luckett joined more than 100 Monrovia Unified elementary school students who competed in more than a dozen track and field events, with parents, teachers, and classmates cheering them on at the Monrovia High’s sports fields on March 29.

“I am glad I made my family and school proud of me, I didn’t want to let them down,” Luckett said. “The games are exciting and my family really likes these games.”

Student-athletes from all five MUSD elementary schools – Bradoaks, Mayflower, Monroe, Plymouth, and Wild Rose – competed in such events as the boys and girls 50- and 100-yard dash, 4 x 100 relay, 400 meters, and softball throw. Student audience members split into two groups and were able to participate in fitness activities in the school’s gym during the field events, including dancing and a brief tutorial on healthy foods, returning later to watch the final competitions.

Students raced all over the field cheering on their classmates during the races, rushing them at the finish line to congratulate the champions, regardless of what school they represented.

“The Elementary Olympics is a District tradition that may be the most anticipated school event of the year,” said Dana Elliott, Wild Rose fourth-grade teacher and MEO coordinator. “The students love competing and the chance to meet their future classmates. The MEO is our way of celebrating sound minds and bodies.”

Monrovia High’s band greeted participants and spectators, as students with school banners paraded down the track. The school dance team entertained the crowd after lunchtime, and the students saved their biggest cheers for the awards ceremony, in which Plymouth Elementary School was awarded the “Spirit Stick” and Mayflower Elementary School emerged as the overall champion and will display the MEO championship trophy for the next school year.

“The Monrovia Elementary Olympics promote teamwork and provides the opportunity for our students to showcase their athletic talent at a young age,” Monrovia Unified Board President Terrence Williams said. “Our students were able to take pride in their schools and showed great sportsmanship to their competitors.”

Monrovia Unified faculty, staff, and student volunteers staffed the event, who acted as technical officials, support staff and digital chroniclers. Monrovia High photography students took photographs and shot video for a souvenir DVD to be distributed to all the participating schools at the end of the year.

“Congratulations to all of our elementary school athletes and an enormous thank you to the people behind the scenes who spend countless hours to continue this unique Monrovia tradition,” Superintendent Dr. Katherine Thorossian said.

PHOTO CAPTION:

041118_MONROVIA_MEO1: Mayflower Elementary students celebrate as they receive a championship trophy during the 13th annual Monrovia Elementary Olympics on March 29 at Monrovia High.

041118_MONROVIA_MEO1: Monroe Elementary students proudly display their school colors during the 13th annual Monrovia Elementary Olympics on March 29 at Monrovia High.

041118_MONROVIA_MEO1: Triumphant Monrovia Unified elementary school students show off their school colors and medals on the victory stand during the 13th annual Monrovia Elementary Olympics on March 29. More than 100 students from all five Monrovia Unified elementary schools participated, including Wild Rose (blue), Mayflower (purple), Plymouth (green), Bradoaks (red), and Monroe (yellow).