By Claire Fallon and Addie Lennon
Mendota Community School
Mendota Community School began the month of February with the opening ceremony to what the school affectionately calls Walker’s Mendota Olympics. The school tradition of having Olympic competition in Physical Education (PE) class has been going on for multiple Olympic cycles and is a treasured memory for students. Like the real Olympic athletes, Mendota scholars have an opening ceremony, a variety of events, and a medals ceremony.
The 2026 games added the opening ceremonies to the itinerary. This included an exciting opportunity to create class flags that represented each student’s unique identities and interests. Kindergarten through 4th grade students worked on their flags in REACH, a STEAM-focused class taught by Liz Talledge, Marli Zimmerman and Addie Lennon. Flags were presented at an opening ceremony where selected students carried flags and torches (made by art teacher Leah Haefner) through the hallways of the school.
Then in PE class, students participated in modified Biathlon, Bobsled, Curling, Cross Country Ski, Figure Skate, Hockey, Ice Climb, Luge, Moguls, Skeleton, Ski Jump, Slalom, Snowboard and Speed Skate activities. PE teacher Jess Walker worked to imitate events on a smaller scale with modified equipment so that the events feel realistic and fun.
When asked why she does this mini-unit, Walker said, “I think it is important to teach scholars about real world athletic competitions and … it is so important to encourage kids to move their bodies. When you make movement fun, kids will want to participate…. They usually develop an interest in watching some of the Olympics during this unit.”
There were medal ceremonies where some scholars received awards while others cheered for peers. Learning to win and learning to lose with grace are skills that they need as they move through life.
The adults at Mendota are proud of how Walker’s Mendota Olympics teaches not only physical fitness but also how to be part of a supportive community. This is definitely a tradition we will look forward to the next time the Olympics come around.
