My Pentathlete

Every year, 5th graders from  Waldorf-based schools all over Northern California come together for a Pentathlon at Live Oak Waldorf School in Meadow Vista. They separate the kids into 4 city states, 55 kids in each one. Alek was able to participate this year and he had an amazing time. He was in Athens.They started off the day with the gods coming out to open the games. Each child had to write an ode to one of the gods and read it aloud before they could compete.

Then the games began, city states rotating through each area. There was a 50 yard dash, a 200 yard dash, discus throw, long jump and javelin throw. They did different heats and the winner of each heat moved on to the finals. There were laurel wreaths for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place and two for the competitors with the best "beauty and grace" -- the best form. Alek had fun competing and watching his friends compete, but he really wanted a laurel wreath. The kids practiced these events for a couple of months before the Pentathlon and Alek knew that the javelin throw was his best event. But it was also the last event of the day for Athens and poor Alek was exhausted and sunburned by that point. He still managed to do well. He won his first heat and so was in the top 6 for distance. Unfortunately, he was so worn out by the time he threw again that he didn't put much effort into it and he didn't place in the top 3. So no laurel wreath for him.

Or so he thought. But then he heard his name being called. He won one of the two wreaths for beauty and grace. He was so happy and so proud.

My pentathlete at home, the victor with his spoils:

 More pictures of the event posted in the Shutterfly album in the next post.