By Judith Roberts, publisher
Anyone walking around Hillcrest Elementary School on Friday would have had a hard time finding students sitting quietly in their chairs that morning — and for good reason. Friday was HIllcrest’s annual Field Day.
Organized by Hillcrest P.E. teacher Lynn Edmiston, affectionately known as “Coach E” by the K-2nd graders, the day was filled with activities such as face painting, bubbles, water balloons, bracelet creations and much more.
“I’m a go big or go home kind of person,” Edmiston said. “I would rather make an event big and go even bigger the following year as long as the kids are having a blast, because that is what it’s all about. I can tell you that all the teachers and kids deserve to go out with a bang. They have been working hard all year, and it was time to have some fun.”
Fun it was for the students, the teachers and the parental volunteers. Each class moved from one activity to the other in 15-minute increments, and it was not unusual to see teachers hopping in the sack races with their students or parental volunteers soaking students with water balloons.
Principal Lauren Keen said it was exciting to watch the kids and the teachers enjoy the day, after the past two years with COVID restrictions.
“We knew we wanted this day to be amazing,” Keen said. “The kids deserved it, the teachers deserved it. I can see all that is coming to fruition. The kids are smiling; they’re hugging us; they’re telling us how much they’re loving it.”
Parent Miesha Wright volunteered to watch her first-grade daughter enjoy the activities.
“It seems like this took a lot of work, but it came together well,” Wright said. “I know the kids will have a good time. They love to play.”
Keen said the event count not have happened without the help of parents.
“We want to recognize our parents for playing a role in our Field Day,” she said. “Most of the stations the students are rotating to were donated by the parents. We had a list of things we needed and a list for volunteers, and parents filled those spots within days.”
Edmiston said parental involvement was crucial for making Field Day successful.
“Parents and guardians and the community were involved in so many ways,” she said. “They want to help and get involved.”
And because of that involvement, Edmiston said Field Day was the best end of the year celebration.
“We wanted kids to have a blast and leave saying it was the best day ever,” she said. “I think we certainly accomplished it, but seeing so many smiles and hugs at the end of the day — that’s what it’s all about and what makes me love teaching, the kids and the smiles and seeing them have fun through activities.”
