Sweating for schoolbooks

Marisa O’Neil

The third-grade class boisterously chanted, “Let’s go, third-grade,”

loud enough to rival the heartiest sports fans.

The first- and second-graders used their budding brawn in a

tug-of-war on the athletic field. And pre-kindergarteners battled it

out in the eternal quest for the last seat in musical chairs.

Students at St. Joachim School experienced the thrill of victory

and the agony of defeat on Thursday in their fifth annual triathlon

fund-raiser. The day-long event included skits, games, a raffle and

athletic endeavors. Last year, it raised $38,000 for the school.

Out on the field Thursday morning, kindergarteners scurried over

hay bales and under low hurdles in the obstacle course competition.

Other students shot hoops on the basketball court. More got medals in

an awards ceremony on a three-tiered, Olympic-style platform.

“I won for basketball,” 5-year-old Matthew Moline said, showing

off his gold medal, strung on a red, white and blue ribbon. “I made a

ball in the hoop. And then, in musical chairs, all the boys won.”

Katy Valdez, 5, wore a medal of her own and told a different side

of the story.

“I got this medal,” she said. “I even got another prize. I won a

cupcake for musical chairs.”

Elsewhere on the field, a best-of-three tug-of-war showdown shaped

up between the first and second grades.

As they took their places along the rope, first-graders flexed

their biceps menacingly. Second-graders countered with some gentle

playground smack talking in an attempt to distract their competitors.

In the first round, the second-graders easily won, pulling a

couple first-graders over the orange cones. The second time,

eighth-graders Cora Busby and Maria Laris stepped in and lent a hand

to the younger children, thwarting a second, seemingly inevitable,

loss.

The first-graders screamed triumphantly, jumping up and down and

shaking their fists in the air.

“I stopped ‘em,” 6-year-old Trevor Branca boasted confidently.

On the third and deciding tug, the little kids dug in their heels

and held on for dear life. Hannah Joyce, 6, refused to give up,

clutching the rope even as it dragged her through the grass -- but it

wasn’t enough to stop the bigger kids from winning.

“I was pulling it so hard,” 6-year-old Kaylene Guerrero said. “I

just wanted someone to pass the line.”

Besides the fun and games, students presented skits and made signs

to decorate the playground. This year’s theme was “Once Upon a Time,”

so students in each grade picked a book to present.

Money raised through raffle sales and sponsors will go toward the

school’s library and media center, parent Mariana Donahue said.

Nearly 300 students took place in the event, with the help of parents

and teachers, who helped organize the activities.