Olympic spirit

Lolita Harper

NEWPORT BEACH -- A light breeze contributed the final element to a

perfect day of sun and fun on the beach Friday as Newport Elementary

School students took part in the school’s annual field day festivities.

With the sparkling blue ocean serving as the backdrop for the Newport

Elementary Olympics, children in kindergarten through sixth grade

participated in wacky competitions, such as the Surf Dress Relay, Dizzy

Bat Beach Hurdles, Boogie Board Relay and Frisbee Mini-golf.

Steve Puppo, the school’s PTA president, ran the show from the

sidelines, blasting traditional beach tunes while timing the segments.

The students competed in 10 events for 10 minutes each, stopping for

water and orange breaks intermittently. Each class worked as a team and

rotated through the field full of events.

“We do this every year before the Memorial Day weekend,” Puppo said.

“The goal is to just get out here and have fun.”

Students, decked out in their official Newport Elementary Olympics

2002 shirts, said they were grateful for a day devoted to playtime and

lighthearted competition.

“It’s just fun having everyone around you and working with your team,”

second-grader Tara Green said.

Tug of war proved to be the playground favorite and sparked the

age-old debate over which is the stronger sex. The sixth-grade girls --

veteran Olympic contenders and undefeated champions -- touted their

tugging victory.

“Girls rule,” said Christina Cooley, proudly flaunting the victory of

the fairer sex in the sixth-grade tug of war contest.

“We lose every year, but they outnumber us,” said Vincent Newsom,

defending his gender.

Christina shot back that the boys just make up excuses to make

themselves feel better about losing to a bunch of girls.

Spencer Ashurst said he was resigned to losing.

“It doesn’t matter,” Spencer said. “We’re stronger in other ways.”

The classic battle of the sexes was relevant even in the kindergarten

tug of war competition. The pint-sized boys dug their heels into the sand

in an effort to stop the momentum of their female foes. Their strenuous

efforts, however, could not prevent the marker on the rope from crossing

to the girls’ side and eventually the boys tumbled.

“We won! We won!” exclaimed Sandi Madoloni, 5.

Competition was fierce but fun, and each child interviewed wore a

smile.

“It’s a lot better than being in class studying for a math test,”

Vincent said.